University at Buffalo Reviews

Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.

Alyssa from East Aurora, NY

07/08/2009

Reviewer is A current student here.

22 out of 23 people found this review useful.
1 person found this inaccurate.
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Great for these types of students

SUNY Buffalo is great for outgoing and interactive students who are used to larger class sizes.

Tips for prospective students

If you are interested in studying at SUNY Buffalo, I would recommend getting in touch with an advisor and taking a tour of the campus. Seeing the dorms and academic buildings helped me decide SUNY Buffalo was the perfect campus for me.

Bang for the buck

Because SUNY Buffalo is a public university, the tuition tends to be lower than most universities in this area and across the state. However, this low tuition is coupled with an excellent education that often surpasses more expensive colleges in many subject areas.

Am enjoying being here

I lived on campus my first year and I absolutely loved it. There are always new people to meet and plenty of activities going on all the time.

Am learning a lot

The professors are very knowledgeable and easy to get in touch with. Because there are so many students, there are a wide variety of classes to choose from.

Emily from Watkins Glen, NY

Good luck and have fun, University at Buffalo has soooo many wonderful things to offer their students.

Tips for prospective students

If you are living in residence halls make friends with the people on your floor. If you are off campus living I suggest you join a club. Walk to class as much as you can when it's nice out, cause when it gets cold in the winter you won't want to go outside.

Bang for the buck

DEFINITELY!!! I pay in-state tuition and I feel like I get more than I am paying for. There is always something free being given away in the student union, whether it's t-shirts or food. Students get into sporting events free. There are so many clubs to join, or you can start your own it's a really simple process. The only thing I would say is not so much worth it are the books, the book store on campus charges an outrageous amount, and you dont get very much back when you return them.

Am enjoying being here

I Love Buffalo, there is always something to do. In the residence halls the hall councils are constantly planning events and gatherings. There is a sporting event of some kind almost everyday throughout the year. If you feel like going out, you have many choices for night time activities. I made friends easily and felt so accepted any where I went on campus.

Am learning a lot

I feel like I learned so much in just one year. There are so many libraries on campus, and teachers have office hours every week. Not only did I advance academically, but living in Buffalo taught me some good life

Matthew from Stockbridge, GA

This school is really great for people interested in Healthcare or even in any Graduate studies.

Tips for prospective students

Professors are your friends so talk to them, get to know them, and most importantly get them to like you. This also goes for TA's who end up grading your assignments (when the class) has TA's. Don't just study, prepare. Professors don't write syllabi for fun (I mean seriously writing those things can't be fun) so read them use them to see where your at and where your going (but remember that they are tentative). And finally, GET TUTORING. It really doesn't matter if you think you don't need it. Whether it be from a hired tutor, a mentor, a TA, or even the professor his/herself, as long as you've got the time go for it (heck, us it as a refresher).

Bang for the buck

Now, as public schools go UB is not that pricey and when you consider all the resources that come with two large, bustling campuses (and one more I have yet to visit) you really are paying a little to get access to a lot. That is as long as you take advantage of the resources that you are paying for. A lot of people don't take advantage of these and end up paying the same price for very little in the long run.

Am enjoying being here

I have made a lot of great friends here and have taken part in a couple of really great groups. The school offers a good amount of activities to entertain its students. However, Buffalo itself can be a pretty dull town and North campus (the main undergraduate campus) isn't exactly in the center of it all. You can still find something to do if your creative, though.

Am learning a lot

This school has great programs for several different disciplines: Pharmacy, Architecture, Dentistry, Law, Nursing, Anthropology, etc. Spend some time really considering which one you would most like to pursue and then really immerse yourself in it.

Amanda from Schenectady, NY

03/04/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 9 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Engineering- Indoor earthquake lab, and a new computing center being built (I think of this as UB's signature program Management- Highly ranked management program Nursing- Comprehensive program, and a state of the art dummy lab that lets you practice. These dummies vomit, bleed, etc....

Tips for prospective students

Be an advocate for yourself! At UB it is hard to stand out without being kind of showy about it because it is a huge school with many talented people. Find a club or organization (there are SO many) to get involved with early- it will also help you meet new friends.

Bang for the buck

The tuition is extremely reasonable- much more affordable than private schools. There are also merit scholarships available for honors college members that entirely cover tuition. With budget cuts though it is possible that tuition will rise and class availability will be limited.

Am enjoying being here

It has taken me some time to find my niche but am now much more comfortable. The school is very large and it can seem incredibly overwhelming at first. Also, it has a great deal to do with your living situation, but once you find a core group of friends to do things with it gets much easier to partake in the vast amount of on campus activities (that are almost always free).

Am learning a lot

I am a biomedical science student, so many of the introductory classes are comprised of information that I have seen many times before. However, many departments like classics, communications, and especially engineering have all new information to offer and are challenging.

Kelsey from Rochester, NY

01/03/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Students who love crowds, who are looking to get a job, who want to get involved on campus (there are almost a hundred clubs), who don't know what their academic/career plans are yet, and students who are looking to be located within reach of a city.

Tips for prospective students

If you got above a 1450 on the SAT, be sure to apply for the Presidential Scholarship. Otherwise, it doesn't matter because UB will inform you upon acceptance whether or not you qualify for their scholarships.

Bang for the buck

No question about it - as part of the SUNY system, it is one of the cheapest schools you could attend (if you live in NY that is). Large Research University for super cheap. Biggest in the SUNY system and very high quality school. One of the only public universities with pharmacy, architecture, and medical programs.

Am enjoying being here

I absolutely love UB. I love being surrounded by people and dorm life here is great. There is such a great range of academic programs and classes and you have such an incredible freedom to choose what you want your college career to look like. UB has an incredible number of resources for your future. Plus the UB student association has enough resources to get famous speakers and music artists to visit every year.

Am learning a lot

I have learned a lot in many of the classes I have taken so far here. UB has a great range of class sizes, anywhere from 20 to 450 student classes. I think that it is easier to learn in the smaller classes. As a history major, I have had many good class experiences but many of my peers in the sciences have difficulty learning in the large lecture classes. I think the quality of your experience depends on your major. But don't get me wrong - UB is a very good school for sciences, particularly those interested in research.

Eric from Amherst, NY

7 out of 8 people found this review useful.
1 person found this inaccurate.
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Campus Safety

Depends on where you go. Campus police crawl around South Campus on weekends but vacate during the weekdays, when most crimes happen. North is largely safe as long as you exercise common sense.

Greek Life

As a member of a fraternity on campus, it sucks. At a larger school with a more vibrant Greek life, it might be better, but here there is too much red tape and too high of fees for such small organizations to thrive.

Clubs and Activities

Don't bother. Set up your own organization/group instead. Any official activities at UB aren't really worth being in unless you're a driving force. Not worth the space on your resume.

Great for these types of students

There's a place at UB for just about any interest.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Poke around, there are plenty of unlocked doors with cool things behind them.

Bang for the buck

You'll probably get just as much out of UB as you would any school with 50-60,000 a year tuition.

What to do for fun

At UB, there's a lot to do, but not all of it's fun. Find a group of close friends and get off campus.

Food and Dining

It sucks. Get off the meal plan and make your own food.

Dorm Life

It all depends on what dorm you're in. Governor's sucks, Ellicott has more students and larger dorms, but some of the buildings are in poor repair.

Academic Rigor

The ball's in your court as far as your academic success is concerned.

Tips for prospective students

Go in with an open mind, and be flexible about your plans.

In three sentences

Better than you'd expect. Professors aren't the best, but there are plenty of opportunities available if you want to chase them down. Success at this school is a product of your own initiative, not the school's resources.

Sandra from Athens, NY

Great for students that want a big school. If you like to do all kinds of things, and have different interests, UB is great for that. A very good school for people with outgoing personalities.

Tips for prospective students

Check out the campus before you come. And come in the winter, especially if you're not used to snow or cold. UB offers a ton of majors, and even a create-your-own option, so survey and research all of your options before choosing a degree program. The advisers usually have a lot on their plates, so do your research before speaking to them (know what you have to take/want to take for classes). And google professors before you sign up for classes, some accents are very hard to understand, and not all of them actually care about teaching.

Bang for the buck

Because I'm from NY, I pay in-state tuition, which really is comparably cheap. The Engineering program at UB is phenomenal, though. There are state-of-the-art labs here, and the professors definitely have experience. Also, the Honors College here (which unfortunately does not accept transfer students) is incorporated very well and allows students to excel beyond their academic program. They do charge a mandatory activity fee (about $100), but all sports games are free to students (all Division I teams, Go Bulls!), there are hundreds of free clubs, two free concerts a year, and plenty of activities throughout the year such as movies and tie-dye nights. Definitely worth it!

Am enjoying being here

The school is huge, so there are all kinds of people around, and it can get very crowded in the libraries and dining areas sometimes. Living on campus can be tough sometimes; the residence halls are always an interesting experience. Laundry is free and the food is at edible. The weather is Buffalo weather - very windy, but definitely bearable. And you can get through all the North Campus academic buildings without walking outside.

Am learning a lot

I'm in the Aerospace Engineering program at UB, and it's very challenging. In general, the entire Engineering program is well-structured and helpful. Many of the professors are caring, and they really want you to get something out of the program.

Ashlie from East Rochester, NY

It's great for anyone looking for a top education for a low cost as well as those who love to make friends and have fun.

Tips for prospective students

So many people apply to SUNY Buffalo it is best to tour the school and apply as soon as possible.

Bang for the buck

SUNY Buffalo is such a great school that provides a top education and tons of fun for a very low tuition.

Am enjoying being here

Living on campus is a great experience. Everyone is so nice, it feels like one big family. There are so many activities going on through out the year that makes it is easy to meet and make plenty of friends.

Am learning a lot

The professors truly know how to connect with students and make sure we get the full impact of the lessons. They even know how to get a laugh or two to make the classes interesting and not so boring.

Taryn from Clarence, NY

08/19/2009

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Anyone looking into a science major will thrive at UB. Because is is a large public school, we receive many federal grants for research. Our professors are top of the line regarding modern techniques and technology. Even some of our general chemistry professors have worked with NASA. A health, math, or science degree from UB can take you anywhere you want to go.

Tips for prospective students

Get involve from the very start. Don't try to settle in first. Sign up for clubs your FIRST day. It will provide you with friends, purpose, and a means to stand out in the crowd of 27,000 students.

Bang for the buck

SUNY Schools are known for having low tuition compared to private schools. This is why SUNY and UB have both seen record numbers in incoming applications this year. And because our staff is filled with research professors, our classes are modern and innovative.

Am enjoying being here

There are so many clubs, sports, and programs for students. And If nothing we have interests you, the Student Association will help you start your own club! Because UB is a big school, it is essential to become involved on a smaller scale. Without extra activities, this school can consume you. However, when you do join something at UB, the world is opened up to you.

Am learning a lot

The classes can be very difficult. Be prepared to buckle down on many subjects. Fortunately there is lots of help available. Teaching Assistants (often grad students) and your best resource. ATTEND OFFICE HOURS!! As long as you are willing to learn, you will take in more in one year than you have in all of your education thus far.

Hannah from Saratoga Springs, NY

10/21/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

SUNY Buffalo has a phenomenal Civil Engineering program and it's definitely well worth everything you pay for if you are a NY resident. Nursing, Pharmacy, and Pre-med are also very popular majors here and the state tuition is an asset to students who attend UBuff because its less expensive than out of state schools similar to UB. The Business programs are also very good and there are many options for students to explore.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely go visit more than one time. I liked it when I first visited but I wasn't in love with it. I liked the athletics that is offered here and the fact that it is state tuition. Make sure that you really get a feel for the campus by scheduling a tour of campus during one of the Prospective Student visiting dates. Make sure that when you visit you ask yourself if you can see yourself going to that school. It definitely helps you see if you feel a connection to the campus- some people know instantly while others need to revisit a few times. Also schedule a time to talk to an academic adviser if you are really serious about attending the college.

Bang for the buck

For being a New York resident, SUNY Buffalo is a bang for the buck education if you are looking for a large school with lots of academic opportunities. The school has many Division 1 athletic teams for boys and girls and there are many club and inter-mural teams here as well.

Am enjoying being here

SUNY Buffalo isn't quite what I had in mind for college but I do think that this school has a lot to offer. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to study in college so I am glad that I picked a larger school because I feel like there are many opportunities for students to explore what works for them. I have a better understanding of what kind of school I think I would excel best at and I am not so sure that a large school is the best option for me. The classes are a big large, some of them in big lecture halls, but other than that the advisers here are very helpful and the staff is very nice.

Am learning a lot

I feel like since I have attended college this fall I really have learned quite a lot of new material. A lot of the classes I am taking now are General Education requirements that everyone has to take unless you have received credit for these courses by taking AP exams in high school. Even though I have taken some of the courses I am enrolled in the professors teach more in depth than in high school so it is a nice to refresh my memory while learning more about the field of study.

Alana from Salisbury Mills, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Bang for the buck

For in-state students, it is (of course) cheaper than for other students. BUT that should not be discouraging! The rooms are a great size, the campus is gorgeous and the education is great.

Will enjoy being here

I really love the campus. I am going to be there this summer for orientation! I have enrolled and everything, so I really look forward to being there. A friend of mine says it's a great place to be, even in the winter!

Will learn a lot

The professors are really nice, and a friend of mine has not had a single issue with any of his classes. It's really something to look forward to.

Deanna from Scotia, NY

05/18/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Students who are looking for a large school and a lot of independence. There isn't a lot of hand holding. You have to go out of your way to meet with your adviser, pick your classes, meet with your professors, make it to your classes (and plan ahead to do so if you live on south campus and your classes are on north). Any type of person can fit in at this university because there are so many people. There is a lot of diversity and just about anyone can find there place.

Tips for prospective students

- Get to know your adviser as soon as you have been assigned to them. They can tell you a lot about which classes you should be taking and when (its best to think about a tentative schedule a few semesters in advance). - Apply for housing and make your housing deposit as soon as possible to ensure that you get placed in the building--and on the campus--that you prefer. - Take a tour of the campus once or twice before actually arriving. Also when you get there you will have a few days to settle in before classes start i would suggest you bring a copy of your schedule around and find the location of your classes. You might also want to play around with the shuttle system and get to know how it works. - Its hard to stand out in lecture hall classes but the better you get to know your teachers the more you will stand out. Visit their offices during office hours, ask good questions, look for undergraduate research opportunities, converse with them over email.

Bang for the buck

Being a SUNY school Buffalo gives students a lot of bang for their buck. Tuition for in-state students is roughly five thousand a semester and the educational experience is worth every cent. The university offers numerous academic services including tutoring, undergraduate research, career centers, career fests, etc. Whether you are a freshman who has fallen behind in their calculus class or a graduating senior who needs help writing their resume and preparing for job interviews--UB has services to assist you. There is also a shuttle service available for all students that runs between north and south campus. It helps you save on gas money and its good for the environment! Aside from academic service UB also sponsors dozens of fun events and activities. Each year they hold a fall and spring fest concerts. Every Friday the student association sponsors late night events in the student union. There is always an occasion for free food, carnivals are set up, and free movies (with popcorn included!) There is plenty to do at UB and most of it is free!

Am enjoying being here

This school is fairly large and meeting people can be difficult. UB has a north and south campus, there are fewer people living on south. Incoming freshman typically live in the dorms on north campus where it is arguably easier to meet people because everyone is thrown together in one complex. On south campus, however, there are less people and the dorm buildings are more broken up. There are several ways to meet new people: joining school clubs, participating in school activities, joining fraternities and sororities. The night life in Buffalo is pretty good. There are several bars and clubs that are only 18 to enter. UB also offers activities every Friday night through the student association which can also be a lot of fun. There have been numerous times that i come to school or leave my building to find random and fun events set up. Some of these events included: a BBQ with free food, a UB Idol event with a stage set up, and a bouncy bounce obstacle course with free balloon animals. There is always free pizza available on Wednesdays for hump day. These are just a few of the random activities that UB sponsors to make sure that each day has something fun and exciting to offer students.

Am learning a lot

The professors are, for the most part, knowledgeable and engaging. There are some professors who seem to be more absorbed in their activities and duties outside of the classroom (like research) and can be a hard to get a hold of or connect with. One noteworthy feature of this university is the school's writing place and math place where students can go to get free tutoring with all different levels of math work as well as help with writing papers. In my experience professors are always available during office hours and typically are helpful in a one on one setting.

Apply early- it's a great steal... Many great students attend here, don't just think it's a school just to party (even though it is quite the party school...) It has some of the best SUNY programs in NY, and all students virtually love this school.

Michelle from Hamburg, NY

04/20/2011

Reviewer is A past student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

The Universtiy at Bufffalo is great for students who are good at taking multiple choice tests. Most 100 level courses have 250 students or more, so mulitple choice tests are very common. Also, if your a student who can take effective notes during a lecture and learn from them, then the University at Buffalo is for you. If you usually need to ask questions during a lecture, or need a professor to speak directly to you to keep your attention then this university is not for you.

Tips for prospective students

If you plan on attending, or will be attending the University at Buffalo, I advise you to go onto campus a week or so before your classes start and bring your schedule to locate the buildings and rooms where your classes are located. The campus is a lot less intimidating once you explore a little. Also, e-mail your professors or teaching assistants, it really helps to build a relationship with them if you need help later in the semester. Getting to know them makes you a person, not just a person number.

Bang for the buck

The University at Buffalo is an excellent college, and extremely affordable. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a quality education on a budget, especially if you are a resident of New York.

Did enjoy being here

Although I enjoyed my classes, I did not always enjoy being on campus. Since the campus is so large and there are around 20,000 undergraduates it is often hard to find a campus computer to use, a desk in the library, or a table to eat lunch at. Also, when classes let out, the halls are extremely crowded, and if you don't know where you're going, it's extremely hard to find a classroom when the halls are flooded with students. To combat this, I would often go onto campus well before my classes started, early in the morning so that I could use the campus computers and find space in the library.

Did learn a lot

I did learn a lot while I was a student at the University at Buffalo. Although the classes are large the teaching assistants are very helpful in helping students to understand material taught in lecture, and when the class is small enough, the professor are very approachable and intelligent.

This is a large school. Prepare to be assertive. Also, making friend is something that will be especially helpful here.

Bang for the buck

This is definitely one of the cheaper schools in the SUNY system and well worth it in my opinion. Consider this school if price is a major issue.

Am enjoying being here

There is always something going on at UB. Whether it is the abundance of clubs, the big seasonal events, the selections of places to eat, or the overwhelming amount of people, UB will most likely keep you busy.

Am learning a lot

There is no doubt that you will learn a great deal at this school. The professors, for the most part, are really engaged in the classes that they teach and encourage students to attend office hours. There will also be no shortage of facilities ; UB (University at Buffalo) is huge! However you will encounter a few professors that do not show much interest in teaching, resulting in poorly carried out lectures. You should be able to get around it with the help of your peers and teacher assistants.

Melissa from Burt, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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What to do for fun

There are tons of different school activities posted EVERYWHERE. Just take your pick and go have fun!

Tips for prospective students

DO YOU RESEARCH!! When you think you're set on a major do all the research on it that you can. Check out your professors, and where exactly your classes are. And 12 credit hours may seem like a lot but it could be just 3 classes MWF, so if you feel you can do more, DO IT, you're pretty much guaranteed to graduate on time doing just over 12 credit hours. And if your adviser doesn't have an answer ask your student body! We are more than willing to help you out the best we can. And most importantly BREATHE and ENJOY your four years here. They go by pretty fast.

In three sentences

Unbelievably organized with helping students out. The website is simple to use and very convenient. A complicated but beautiful campus with very, very helpful staff.

Megan from Gloucester, MA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Social, Academic types, out of the country students, grad school hopefuls.

Tips for prospective students

When I visited, the number one thing I saw at the school was friends, people enjoying the warm outside and being together. Everyone was in a great mood, and happy, for what seemed like obvious reasons.

Bang for the buck

Listed on the top 100 best school deals

Will enjoy being here

Tons of people, programs and events.

Will learn a lot

Tons of professional programs and is also a highly accredited Grad. School.

Maria from Buffalo, NY

Don't be intimated by the size. It really isn't that big and the opportunities here are endless.

Bang for the buck

Being a public school so its cheap to begin with and on top of everything they give away so many free things and discounts on a variety of things.

Am enjoying being here

I was afraid of the school at first because i have always gone to private schools with a graduating class of 98. I didn't get lost at all and after the first day i basically felt like i knew where everything was. And if i didn't the other students are friendly enough to help.

Am learning a lot

I love the professors. They actually want you to do well and are always there for you when you need them. There are many ways of getting extra help for those who need it.

Michelle from Brooklyn, NY

Students that love competition and a large student body, however it's also good for the private student that likes to get close with their professors and private attention.

Tips for prospective students

There is so much to do, don't get so overwhelmed and busy that you forget about school work.

Bang for the buck

This school is definitely worth the cost. It is actually pretty low priced compared to private schools and you get one of the most commendable educations in America. Our health programs are some of the highest rated in the nation.

Am enjoying being here

Being here is amazing. The environment is filled with a ton of great people and things to do. The campus is comfortably built and everything is always readily available at almost all hours.

Am learning a lot

It's a tough school, classes are challenging but you have all the support you need to ace them. The teachers are great and are always available to talk to during office hours. The TA's and the UB students are always getting together for study sessions, if you live on an academic floor you get two academic advisers that live on the floor with you and are always available to talk to.

Mina J from New York, New York

02/04/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

most incidents are due to lack of common sense. rarely anything serious occurs. campus police are available 24/7 and respond quickly and effectively. safety walks are (most times) available when traveling back from the library during late night study hours. majors parts of campus are well lit. for more info: www.public-safety.buffalo.edu/

Greek Life

there is definitely a greek life presence, it is by no means overwhelming or the only presences but it is an option for college students. fraternities and sororities range from co-ed, male only, female only, academic, social, philanthropic, etc. for more info see: www.greeklife.buffalo.edu/

Clubs and Activities

to many to list. but for more information visit: www.sa.buffalo.edu

Great for these types of students

the school is big enough for you to find your niche. i wouldn't say this school is great for 'x' kind of student. but i would definitely say there is something here for everyone. (there may be exceptions but let's not be too picky)

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

oozefest an annual mud volleyball event. alumni.buffalo.edu/oozefest

Bang for the buck

your tuition, room and board fees, etc go to a lot of the various services available for you as a student on campus. so take advantage of the massages offered tuesdays and thursdays, or the movies shown, or the concerts available, etc.

What to do for fun

party *cough* joking kind of. that is an option but if not there are dances, mall bus runs on saturdays and wednesday, there is a movie theater (shows some movies) across the street from south campus. the university station on south campus also give you acess to downtown buffalo. there are some clubs near south campus. fallfest and springfest are major concert events offered. ooze fest, sa's, latenight events (like chocolate bar and pancake breakfasts), the sa film series runs popular recent films on campus, club events, recreation nights at alumni arena, free concerts (featuring orchestral or band instruments) at slee hall, etc. there is fun to be had. some weekends may be more exciting than others but c'est la vie, non?

Food and Dining

for pasta, sandwiches, and paninis go to pistachios. for a coffee, donuts, or breakfast sandwich fix head to tim horton's (there are like 3 on north campus) for a smoothie go to jamba juice. want sushi? head to soma sushi. halal or kosher meal options are also available. there could be more vegetarian/vegan options but eating according to those dietary restrictions is not impossible.

Dorm Life

can be cliche and hectic but also a good experience if you choose it. there are plenty of housing options and you can choose to live in the same area you were [living in] in a previous year or request roommate(s). also many programs are offered for residents. if you have issues with your living situation your resident adviser and/or campus housing often deal with various situations efficiently and effectively.

Academic Rigor

so far the classes i have taken have been difficult. sufficient amount of studying outside of the classroom are

Tips for prospective students

get involved outside of academics. don't get to distracted. academics should always be your priority. if you want to take the bus to get somewhere give yourself a lot of time to arrive to your destination. if you want a better grade, get the help you need. even if you aren't doing very poorly.

In three sentences

a large school with many opportunities (be it academics, socially, etc.)

Nicole from Tappan, NY

04/11/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is extremely safe. There are blue posts all over campus, that connect the person at the post to someone at the University Police Station, and a patrol car is immediately sent to that post. Security walks are offered to those who do not want to walk back to the dorms at night from the libraries, and the police are there to help anytime.

Greek Life

The Greek life here is great! I have joined the sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau. This non- hazing sorority allowed me to make so many more friends, from both other sororities as well as fraternities. I have been able to give back to my community through this organization. It was probably one of the best decisions I have made!

What to do for fun

I like to go to the gym, attend sporting events, attend concerts, and hanging with friends. I'm equestrian, and I have found a barn not too far from campus, where I work and take lessons.

Food and Dining

There aren't many places to get decent food, many of the options are not good if you are trying to maintain a healthy life style. You can most definitely expect to put on the freshman fifteen here at UB.

Dorm Life

The University has plenty of Resistance options. The dorms well kept, and a roommate compatibility service is provided for those who are looking for roommates. There are also on-campus as well as off-campus apartments.

Academic Rigor

The staff here at UB push you to your limits. The classes can be hard but it forces you to go to class and pay attention!

Tips for prospective students

If you know what you want to study, get in contact with the department as early as possible to discuss what you will experience while in the program. And for those of you coming in with college credits; talk to the department or your adviser (who is assigned to you) how those credits will be transferred.

In three sentences

The University at Buffalo is a great place to get an education, and for those of you who are in-state its the best value for your money! Don't know what you want to study? The University at Buffalo has a wide variety of programs to choose from!

Ivan from San Bernardino, CA

01/15/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Out towards the city it is a bit dangerous (south campus), but up north it is much safer and calm. The worst crimes you could see up here are very petty things like smoking. Other than that, nothing dangerous happens out here. Only be careful in south campus area because it is near housing projects and Buffalo is listed as one of the most dangerous cities in America. I had no problems with safety on or off campus.

Greek Life

I am not part of it either, but they sure conduct some swell parties. I hear people in it enjoy it, so it is up to you if you feel obligated to join.

Clubs and Activities

I am not part of clubs yet, but there are so many, so if you are interested, you could find something in a heartbeat.

Great for these types of students

Anyone who wants to meet new people, including introverts.

Bang for the buck

It is a good deal. I come from California. The schools, especially the public schools are very expensive. I pay out of state for UB and I know I am currently getting a better bargain than a Californian school. In fact, Californian schools are MORE expensive in state than this school out of state. What I have to pay is NOT cheap, but is a very good deal compared to California in state. So for anybody who may have some financial trouble, this school has the ultimate potential to work with you in the process, just manage your pay and know what you are paying for.

What to do for fun

Plenty. If you didn't bring anything to occupy your time, no worries. First off, floormates would possibly have their own widgets and things they can do for fun. If you find another floormate who may also be bored, you may bond over your boredom and make plans to fulfill your time. On top of that, there is a huge emphasis on the nightlife out here. Just be prepared and do whatever you feel is comfortable but once again, don't isolate yourself or you will not have a good time.

Food and Dining

It is okay. The meal plans are iffy, but it did teach me how to regulate my meal consumption in order to not gain so much weight. So in that case, get the 14 meal plan, it is not worth the 19 meal plan.

Dorm Life

It is descent. If you don't like your roommates, there are plenty of people out here just to chew the fat with so don't isolate yourself in your own dorm when you have any opportunity to go out.

Academic Rigor

It is what you expect, work hard but don't stress out too much.

Tips for prospective students

Time Management: You will have difficulty at first especially when you feel encouraged to meet new people

In three sentences

I am satisfied with this school. I got accepted to a couple expensive private colleges and public schools in my state. University at Buffalo is on par, if not, tops all the other schools from a couple UCs to University of Hawaii and even DePaul University in Chicago. It is well funded and well put together: so for anyone considering this school, don't be reluctant to check it out, it is a good school.

Alysha from Bolivar, NY

There is an extremely diverse selection of dining on and near the campuses.

Dorm Life

RA's are nice and there are plenty of activities to keep students pleasantly entertained.

Academic Rigor

Courses at University at Buffalo are more often than not, relatively rigorous and will take time outside of classes to complete. With that said, they're not impossible and A's are attainable.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be afraid to take advantage of what the campus offers. This includes clubs, athletics, fraternities, or campus services.

In three sentences

This University is for those that want to do well in their professional careers. The professors care about their students and will go out of their way to make sure that you succeed. Aside from the abundant choices for studies, there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to find where there niche may be.

Angelica from Brooklyn, NY

11/13/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Great for these types of students

1) if you like the snow 2) engineer or pharmacy major

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you like the cold. It usually is pretty cold, windy, or cloudy here. Also, try buying as many books online as you can; the bookstore wont give you much when you try to sell them back. Try to get a car, or have a friend who has a car. There isn't much to do around here and public transportation sucks a little, so make sure to have a car or know someone who is willing to make trips

Bang for the buck

Tuition is reasonable, 20k for the quality of education, I say is pretty good.

Am enjoying being here

The students are pretty nice here. There are a lot of foreign exchange students; the student body seems pretty diverse. Although the school is located in a rather rural area, the student union really goes out of their way to create activities to keep people doing something.

Academic Rigor

This school is great, the classes are what I expected. Assignments are challenging, and I'm learning a lot.

Brayan from Brooklyn, NY

it's depending on your major as in all schools, some majors require a great amount of work while others are more laid back.

In three sentences

the univeristy at buffalo is a great institution which offers many opportunities to further your knowledge. it's vast variety of majors will lead any one into finding a career that best fits them. it's located in the border of buffalo containing two large campuses providing you the great university environment.

Jia from New York, NY

Downtown there are movie, nice place to dine such as the Chocolate Bar

Tips for prospective students

Don't be afraid to speak out in classroom the professor are all very friendly. Join the clubs there is one for everyone.

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is a great college with diverse people from all different background and culture. There are many majors open to student and it's perfect for student that might not know there major and they can explore it at University at Buffalo.

Danielle from Jamestown, NY

05/20/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Food and Dining

There are a lot of food options, and some of it is really great! The only issue is that the food is expensive if you have a Dining Dollars only meal plan, or if you have a meal plan with 14 or 19 meals a week because most students don't end up using them all.

Dorm Life

The dorms aren't a bad place to live, but sometimes the party scene can seem to take over on the weekends. If you're not into partying and spend a lot of time studying, it can be inconvenient and loud. The dorms on South Campus are worse in regards to this, but most of them I assume aren't too bad.

Academic Rigor

A lot of the programs are very competitive, and many of the students are as well, so if you're not a 4.0 GPA student it may be hard to stand out.

In three sentences

UB is a great school with lots of options for majors, classes, where to live, etc. The only thing I don't like is how big most of the classes are. There are very few small classes until you get into those specifically for your major when you're an upperclassman.

Christine from Bloomingburg, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Greek Life

There are sororities and fraternities available to whomever would like to join. And they host many events as well.

Food and Dining

Have never eaten there yet.

Dorm Life

easy to accommodate and offers on campus but off-campus apartments besides the usual campus dorms.

Academic Rigor

Very Competitive and students study their butts off.

Tips for prospective students

There is never a dull moment and the people are very friendly. There is a wide mixture of students and is easy to find and make friends. However, make sure academics and scholarships given to attend come first over everything else.

In three sentences

I have not personally been on the campus, however, I have heard many positive aspects of the college from alums and current students of the University. They offer a wide selection of majors as well as many events to keep students occupied on campus, so there is always something to do. To this day I know that it is constantly growing in size, as well as, faculty and students.

Kate from Albany

At UB you pay a public school price for a private education. The professors do everything they can to make sure you get everything and more for what you pay.

What to do for fun

UB is just a short ride away from the Galleria Mall and the Boulevard Mall. South campus is in the middle of the party-scene for college students on Fridays and Saturdays. There are numerous dance clubs and almost every day there is something new going on in the student union.

Food and Dining

There is so many varieties of food on campus! Along with the dining halls rotating schedules (no dining hall serves the same thing as any other on any given day) but there are restaurants such as Moe's, Tim Hortons, Subway, and Jamba Juice in the student union. Pistachio's is a must visit: great food that can be purchased using your meal plan!

Dorm Life

Whether you want to live alone or with three different people there is a dorm for you. Ellicott on north campus provides housing for thousands of students. There are two dining halls and a food court available right in the building. There is also Governors on north which houses many honors students and two dorms on south campus.

Academic Rigor

UB has many great academic programs to choose from and all will challenge you. Some professors are more intense than others, but most are great teachers

Tips for prospective students

UB is a big school. You may have some classes on south campus even though you live on north campus, or vice versa. The transportation system is great, though, and buses run pretty regularly.

In three sentences

UB is a great school to attend. There is always a lot going on and the people you meet there are amazing. The school is intense in its studies but also knows how to have fun.

Fariha from Newark, DE

06/14/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

UB takes initiative to confirm the safety of its students. School facilities have adequate security and students who stay late at the library are offered safety walks back to their dorms or cars. The crime rate has always been relatively low on North Campus.

Greek Life

The fraternities play a somewhat medium role on campus during the week. But, when the weekend hits many students head to South Campus, where the fraternities are located, to attend the weekly open parties. The frat life does, however, die out for about 1 month during the middle of each semester.

Clubs and Activities

The student association sponsors clubs built around a variety of interests ranging from Pharmacy Club to Glee Club to the Muslim Student Association. for example. For the sport-lovers there are intramural sports teams and Division I athletic teams.

Great for these types of students

UB is great for students who want to get the full college experience: decent academics, social life, Division I sports teams, etc.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

All of the academic buildings with in the 3 campuses, though separate from each other, are connected so that during the winter months, students can minimize their time outside if they so desire.

Bang for the buck

As an out of state student, UB was cheaper for me than my state school. They are generous with their scholarships and provide a decent life style on campus. The teachers are passionate and the facilities are adequate; however, the book store is a huge rip-off.

What to do for fun

The school sets up many free activities for students all year, including concerts, outdoor movies, tie-dye events, fashion shows, sporting competitions, and volunteer/work opportunities. For students of appropriate ages, UB south campus and downtown Buffalo provide access to fraternity parties, bars, and night clubs all year. With so much to do, students rarely get bored.

Food and Dining

Dining at UB is mediocre. During the first few weeks of freshman year the variety seems great, but soon students realize that the dining hall food is unhealthy and boring and the eateries at the Student Union are just bearable. UB is improving, however, through the new dining hall and menu upgrades.

Dorm Life

At UB, dorm life is exciting for freshman and sophomores. It allows students a chance to meet new people outside of classes and creates friendships that last for a long time. However, by junior year the dorms are no longer fit for most students' needs; juniors and seniors usually seek on-campus/off-campus apartments and houses.

Academic Rigor

UB is a typical state school, but depending on a students's major, he or she may spend up to 40 hours a week on school work.

Tips for prospective students

Take the initiative to meet you peers and establish a close, but professional, relationship with professors.

In three sentences

SUNY Buffalo is a great school for students who want to get a decent education while also getting the social perks of a large state school. UB is no Princeton or Harvard but the teachers here care about engaging their students and helping them develop in their chosen fields. But UB isn't all work; there are tons of people to meet and campus activities to participate in.

Ashley from New City, NY

06/18/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Large blue Rape Poles are located all over campus. They have blue lights at the top of them and when pressed, the University Police rush over to the scene. The UB Police are also all over campus, enforcing laws and student safety. Whenever you see a black Dodge Charger, you must be on your best behavior. The UB Police station is also located right by the main gym, Alumni Arena.

Greek Life

There are tons and tons of Greeks on campus. UB recognizes them and hosts a Greek Week every year, where Greeks wear their letters all week long and show pride. Cultural fraternities and sororities dominate the Greek Life at UB. It's amazing.

Clubs and Activities

There are numerous clubs available on campus. There are so many students that we have clubs for just about everything. Students are also so friendly that they are willing to have new members at any time during the semester.

Great for these types of students

Science majors, city kids looking for another home-like enviornment, party animals.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

One of the health sciences buildings on the south campus is said to be haunted. Every year, students go inside and end up running out due to strange noises.

Bang for the buck

It's a public school, enough said.

What to do for fun

Buffalo is one of the oldest cities in the nation. There are a lot of fun things to do at the Erie Canal, such as take a boat ride and have some delicious seafood. The train is available right on the south campus and takes you two blocks away from the harbor. There is also tons of shopping places such as the Boulevard Mall, Galleria Mall and Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls. Niagara falls is also a fifteen minute drive and my friends and I always used to go there on the weekends for some partying and canadian adventures. Most UB students bring their passports and go to Canada on weekends when homework and studying are not too intensive. The city of buffalo is an amazing home away from home for me, because I live right outside of New York City and the city aspects are still in tact.

Food and Dining

There are a wide range of places to eat on campus. That is the benefit of going to a large school. There are a variety of ethnic foods available for students if they are ever homesick on campus. There is also an amazing pasta and sandwich place called Pistachios, which is also beautifully designed and overlooks the entire student union. The pasta is amazing and resonably priced. The meals in the dining hall are different every week and occaionally, restaurants host the dining hall and have nights such as sushi night with a lot of exotic sushi. I was never hungry during any semester also because food places were open 24 hours. I love the food that is available on campus and as a picky eater, who also religiously does not eat beef and pork, UB never let me go hungry.

Dorm Life

The way the UB housing sets up the residential life for students, everyone becomes closely acquainted. During my first year, I lived on the south campus which shared one dining hall and because students were eating in the same dining hall, the building became close and faces became easy to recognize while on the academic spine, in an undergraduate student body of 20,000. Doors were left open during the first week of school and this caused roommates to walk around and greet other floormates. The RA's also had programs every month that were enjoyable and free for students. During my first year, I had an amazing experience where my entire floor became very close with my RA and he served as our RA again in another building on the north campus by special request. I met my best friends in the building I lived in, Goodyear. I will always remember the family enviornment that was in this building that caused it to become my home away from home. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Academic Rigor

As a pre-pharmacy student, the science courses offered at UB are designed to weed out those who are not fit for pre-health majors. They are intense and usually two sciences are taken during one semester. Doing fairly well in both courses as well as others taken during the semester shows that the student is able to balance a tough courseload and still succeed.

Tips for prospective students

No matter which major a prospective student chooses to study, he or she should be obligated to be on top of course work during the academic semester. Show interest while in the classroom and make sure professors know you on a first name basis; forming relationships will always help you as professors will also show interest in the student. Don't feel obligated to ever change your major based on one class, retaking a course is common and if it can help you to achieve the bachelor's degree or admission to the graduate or professional school you have always been planning on going to, do not hold back.

In three sentences

SUNY Buffalo is a research based school where professors number one priority is conducting research. Students are quickly set apart in large classrooms where participation is limited and daily studying is essential to success. In order to succeed, students must have the motivational drive to reach out and contact professors and advisors reguarding research jobs, internships and special programs that help to shape their educational experience as an undergraduate.

Jasmine from New York, NY

Anonymous

07/03/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

There is always something going on. There is 'Late Night UB', which promotes fun activities every Friday night, there are multiple fun things to do in Buffalo, such as laser tag, ice skating, cultural festivals, and more.

Food and Dining

The food in the dining hall and food court is alright, not amazing. There aren't many healthy options available, which makes it hard to maintain a healthy diet. The food itself is a bit expensive.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is exciting, as the other students are very friendly and the RAs always have programs most weeks so it's easy to meet people.

Academic Rigor

The science classes are very difficult and the material must be studied well before the exams.

Tips for prospective students

Start studying for exams two to three weeks before them, as you must know the material well. Try to go out and see everything UB has to offer, as there are many programs and activities many can enjoy and benefit from.

In three sentences

It is a good school with many majors, so if you're undecided there will be something for you. The class sizes are very large though, most are upwards of 400 students. The campus is very large and there is always something to do.

Bethany from Buffalo, NY

07/06/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Because UB is a big campus, you have to be more alert than you would be at a smaller campus. As long as u are smart and safe in general, you should be fine. Campus police are always available to help with anything and provide assistance. There are also Safety shuttles and safety volunteers who can accompany you on a safety walk so you feel secure on your way back to whereever u are headed (they are only for campus use though I believe). Most complaints come from the big dorming complex Ellicott- and most involve burgulary. Its important that u keep your belongings with u at all times, lock your doors if u live on campus (and off as well), make sure you log off your accounts on campus computers, and do not give private personal information out. There is also a seminar held for new students on contact info and what to do in case of an emergency on the campus, and most people on campus are willing to help if you need a small favor or need help finding something.

Greek Life

Lots of different sororities and frats on the campus, so if your looking into joining Greek Life, this is def. the college for you. UB also has posted up info about organizations that are not legit around the area, so don't worry about that. Just remember, hazing is never the way to go!

Clubs and Activities

LOTS of clubs and activities. You will definitely find what you are looking for at UB. Also, if we don't have a specific club or organization that you are looking for, just gather up a few interested and committed people and head to the Student Union, and you can begin a club or group yourself! Also a wide variety of sports. In terms of health and fitness, Alumni has a great gym, swimming pool, and arena. Each complex also has their own fitness centers, so theres a lot to take advantage of. Student Association is probably the most popular on campus, but there are also several different ethnic and nationality- based SAs to get involved in, plus clubs centered around certain interests and community service.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Hm. This is a toughy. One of my favorite things about UB is that there are two big concerts every single year, one each semester. In the fall semester there is FallFest, and in the spring semester SpringFest. The venues are different each semester- one is dedicated to alternative/rock/pop music, while the other is geared toward rap/hip-hop/R&B. And these aren't your everyday bands and artists just getting on the map trying to make it big- most are already established. IE- 2 AM club and the white panda came for fallfest 2011 (check them out, pretty good stuff), and rick ross, tyga, and fabolous came for springfest 2012. Not to mention-free for all UB students and open to the public. No unusual locations I can think of. There are seats and chairs everywhere though- can you sit and enjoy the atmosphere, do some work, or even sleep wherever u want on campus (most of the time). There r fun events in the Student Union most times, so u can just walk in and join in on the fun before or after a class, and Seniors graduating do get to sign a giant metal bull as a class gift before they leave the school.

Bang for the buck

If you are in-state, UB has a great price. The thing that will cost u the most is room and board though: combined house and board, the price is around 10,000- the tuition has went up to about 7500 for in-state students, and about 18,000 for out of state. That seems pricey, but when you apply and get accepted into UB you do get automatically considered for a multitude of scholarships from UB- I actually got into the Daniel Ackers program, which pays my entire tuition fees (the 7500 because im in state) as long as i maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA each year. Using scholarships and loans to pad the way, UB provides a pretty decent education for half the price most other scholarships of equal stature provide.

What to do for fun

Tons of stuff to do! If you're a party person, South campus is right by university heights- houses right off main street that host some pretty great parties on the weekends, frats included. There are also a few bars and clubs in the same area. If your not into the party scene, there's still a lot of stuff to do. There are always at least 4 or 5 clubs hosting an event every weekend (mostly in the student union), and south campus is right near a movie theater and stores so you don't have to spend your night sulking in your room. Also, the RAs and people in charge of each dorm often through special events for their residents on the weekends, so go hang out and meet new people and have fun! Once again,plenty of opportunities- u just gotta seek em out =)

Food and Dining

Lots of different food options on campus. The best place for food (imo) is in the Student Union on North Campus, and Harriman Hall on South. Each complex also has dining halls and places to go eat (Ellicott has the most, because of more people), but all are pretty good. You may get tired of the food every once in a while though, and while there are healthy options available, most will go to the fattier options first. Don't be surprised if u pick up a few more pounds after you go here- there are plenty of ways to burn it off on campus though =). My favorite place is the pasta place Pistachios in the student union (you can see the pasta made before your eyes and can make flexible accommodation to your food), and the breakfast hall in Harriman Hall on South Campus.

Dorm Life

There are plenty of options for dorming at UB. Three main dorming complexes on North- Ellicott, Governors, and Grenier. Ellicott is the largest- most people like it here, generally long hallways and the dorms seem the biggest. Governors is known for housing athletes, and people in special programs (Honors, Ackers, etc.). I stayed in Governors-not bad, but i wanted ellicott more lol. Governors is fun, but is great for people who want more study and down time. Greiner is the newest, just built a year ago, and is exclusively for sophomores right now. Its the best looking, but is the most expensive i believe, and u have to use ur ID card to get everywhere in the building. Two on South- Clement and Goodyear. There are also good off campus housing options- student villas and apartments, and houses near south campus. You can look up more on the website.

Academic Rigor

Academics at UB aren't too bad at all. You have your range of classes- fairly easy to extremely challenging, and the same is true of the professors. I would stick with 4 or 5 classes for the average student- between studying, homework, projects, exams, and keeping up a decent social life you will be pretty occupied. I am just starting my second year- my first year was great. First semester gpa- 3.8, second semester gpa-3.5. You just have to pace yourself and work on managing your time and priorities- it shouldnt be too hard. Keep in mind that there are two different campuses- North campus which is located in Amherst, NY (which is much larger), and South, which is in Buffalo, centered around Main st. (there is also a campus downtown, but most people I know do not attend it). South campus is mainly for science/health/medicine classes, but because North is bigger than South, most of your beginning classes will be on North. I think UB is great for all majors, but it is widely known as an excellent school for science majors, so the majority of people who attend here are pursuing a specialized science degree. I am an intending English major- if you are not a science major, you may feel a little out of the loop sometimes with your friends and acquaintances and you may have to look a little harder to find some people that have the same major as u (or one that isnt geared towards the sciences), but they def. exist, and it generally doesnt affect your relationship with those who have a different major.

Tips for prospective students

Do not be intimidated by the size of the campus or the large amount of students that go there. It may seem super big at first (and it is), but you will create your own world of acquaintances and friends and interests, so eventually you will become comfortable in it. Honestly, the large number of people who go here ensure that every student has a great variety of opportunities to choose from and more than enough activities to get involved in. If you are ever bored here, you just aren't looking in the right places or using the resources to their fullest. If you do hate large crowds in general and are a tad claustrophobic though, maybe you should steer clear of this school- lectures halls run big, buses can be packed at certain times of the day, and if you have your own car, you will have to get places early to ensure a (good) parking spot most times.

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is a wonderful university-I'm so glad I decided to go there. From the helpful and professional professors to the friendly and welcoming students to the beautiful scenic campus, you can't go wrong with making UB your first choice. As far as ratings go, on a scale from 1-10, I give it an 8.5.

Joe

North Campus is perfectly fine. South Campus may not be the safest place, but there are amenities such as late night shuttle runs and walkers who accompany students.

Greek Life

The school has an Inter-Greek Council and hosts a competitive annual event called Greek Week.

Clubs and Activities

A variety of clubs to participate in, ranging from ethic to sports and academics.

Great for these types of students

Students that can handle long winters.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are quite a few hidden gems in terms of good food in Buffalo. For example Duff's for wings and Grover's Bar & Grill (which was featured on the Food Network).

Bang for the buck

SUNY schools are generally an inexpensive option for post-secondary education.

What to do for fun

It's hard to get around without a car in Buffalo. Activities include shopping at the Boulevard or Galleria malls, going to the movie theaters, eating out, and nightlife around South Campus and downtown Buffalo.

Food and Dining

The Student Union and the Commons has better food than the conventional dormitory cafeterias.

Nofisat from Brooklyn, NY

07/23/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Bang for the buck

Definitely getting the a great deal when it comes to tuition. Dorming wise, room and board price is outrageous and most of the time fafsa won't cover all costs when you add room and board, meal plans and all the other expenses, unless you have scholarship money added to it.

What to do for fun

The campus is what you make of it. There's alot of things going on at the university. You can step out your dorm room at 3 in the morning and there will always be something interesting going on. There are also tons of clubs. So the only way you won't enjoy UB is if you choose not to.

Food and Dining

The food is pretty decent. Not the greatest but theres plenty of options to go around. There are also lots of restaurants you can go to near the campus as well.

Dorm Life

The dorm life is not too bad. The dorming complex on north and south campuses are good. Most freshman's usually dorm on north campus seeing that most of their classes will be on north campus (depending on the major.) Living on campus freshman year is something you should definitely do, but after that maybe try to get an apartment offf campus because the cost of living on campus isn't worth staying in the dorms all four years.

Academic Rigor

UB is a pretty great school academically. The teachers are there to help you with anything you need. The work is there and the help is there if you need it.

Tips for prospective students

Visit the campus before you make your final decison. UB is a really big school. Actually a huge school. They have three different campuses. Some students tend to like big campus, while some students like smaller schools. At UB you're just another student out of about twenty thousand other undergrad students, so that's something to think about.

In three sentences

Excellent state school. You get the bang for your bucks getting a great education at an affordable price. If you want to enjoy your undergraduate years, UB is where it's at.

Join clubs because they have different events, on campus as well as off campus venues. There is always something going on on campus, and endless opportunities to meet nice students.

Food and Dining

Great food, and easy food delivery is available to dorms and apartments.

Dorm Life

I am living in an on campus Apartment, and life is extremely convenient. it is perfect for a young person.

Academic Rigor

The level of dedication must be 100%in order to be successful. the course work is very difficult, and takes endless hours of studying.

Tips for prospective students

It is important to utilize all tutorial opportunities, and keep in contact with each professor. If you reach out to them, they will reach out to you and aide you.

In three sentences

The University at Buffalo is a large school that has a place for everyone. It is possible to get all the assistance you need, and staff really put the student's best interests first. The environment as a whole is great for learning.

Matthew from Addison, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Bang for the buck

definitely the best deal out there, no other colleges in NY offer the education, and atmosphere that UB has at such a low price.

What to do for fun

there's a pond, and great parks, buffalo has a lot of good clubs and bars as well.

In three sentences

The campus is huge, it can be kind of scary at first, but the size kept me occupied, and it helps when you need some 'space' from irritating roommates. The campus has a wonderful view, and the buildings were always kept nice and clean. In fact, it reminds me a small city, everyone is walking to and from class, or to hang out, but there was no garbage, the campus has a great recycling program!

Kimberly from Elmsford, NY

07/26/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

UB has their own police department on campus. They are not just campus security, they are legitimate police officers. They are constantly patrolling both campuses to ensure the safety of the students. The blue light system is also in place on campus, so students can always feel safe.

Greek Life

I personally did not join Greek Life, but there are so many sororities and fraternities on campus, even academic ones. I always see them selling baked good in the Student Union to fund raise.

Clubs and Activities

There is a club for anything you can imagine at UB and if you can think of one that does not exist, you have to power to create your own. All of these clubs have their own events and the Student Association also holds many events as well.

Great for these types of students

UB is held to higher academic standard and has a very extensive science program. Students that plan to work hard should come to UB because it will pay off in the end.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are a few unusual traditions on campus, like Oozefest. These are things you will learn about on a tour of the campus or during orientation. Experiencing these things make you really feel like you are a part of UB.

Bang for the buck

You definitely get what you pay for at UB. The food, services and activities are of a higher standard and in state prices are very reasonable. UB also offers scholarships and loans that help out a lot.

What to do for fun

There is plenty to do on campus. The Student Association holds events during the day and on Friday and Saturday nights, so that you never have to even leave campus. If you do decide to leave campus, there is a subway station on South that takes you right into the city.

Food and Dining

The food is one of the better college foods I've had. There are so many options to choose from. Besides having a dining hall, there is a food court right in the dorming complex which is open really late. The meal plan is also a great thing, allowing us to eat as late as 2 am.

Dorm Life

The dorms are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. The rooms are also larger than most other schools I've visited. I was in a triple and my roommates and I all had our own space. We were never on top of each other.

Academic Rigor

I started out as a Pharmacy Major, and no one lied to me when they said it would be hard. It is really important to keep up with all your work and studying, college is not as easy as some people make it seem. You do have to study on weekends and even weeks before tests.

Tips for prospective students

Take a tour of UB. There is no other way to get a feel for the school. On the tour make sure you talk to your guide and ask any questions you have.

In three sentences

This University has profound professors that are willing to help you succeed in your academic career. Not only are the professors great, but the campuses themselves are held to a high standard and met. I really enjoyed my freshman year there and can not wait to return for my sophomore year.

Anne from KY

Even for out-of-state students, the tuition is cheap. You get a lot support and learning out if what you pay.

Food and Dining

The food is good, but it does get repetitive. Try to not always eat in the same place. All of the food staff are super nice and friendly.

Dorm Life

I love being on campus and able to walk everywhere. The snow isn't a hassle because they are very on top of plowing during the school days and the academic buildings are all connected to each other. Being able to walk down the hall to hang out or get homework help is why I love living in the dorms.

Academic Rigor

The academics are challenging at times but always manageable. Forming study groups definitely helps. The professors and TAs are also very available and helpful.

Tips for prospective students

Take a tour to see if UB is the school for you. You can really get a feel for the campus and student body that way.

Demire from Buffalo, NY

08/06/2012

Reviewer is A past student here.

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Campus Safety

There is a blue light emergency system, UB is manned by State University police, they carry guns AND flashlights. There is an Organization on campus called Sub board 1, they have walk stations so you never have to walk home alone, and Safety shuttles that take you 1.5 miles off campus at night, and these services are free to students and their guests.

Greek Life

more UN-official fraternities. but there are a great deal of recognized greeks here.

Clubs and Activities

There is always something for everyone, and if there is not, you and some like-minded friends can create one and become a funded club.

Great for these types of students

Great for students from bigger cities, If you want some diversity, UB's international population is fairly large. If you are okay with your professors only knowing them if you visit them in office hours UB could be for you, and if you like Large lecture halls for sciences classes and smaller classes for humanities its worth coming here.

Bang for the buck

You get a great experience here, its just that the waiting in lines, fighting for classes, and, lack of communication from administration gets frustrating, but if you weather all that and graduate you will have a degree from a globally respected institution.

What to do for fun

Plenty of on campus clubs and organizations. Off campus bars (should you choose to partake) there is a subway system that has a stop right on campus that can take you into the city. there are 2 malls, one of them is walking distance. The school also puts on 2 great concerts a year springfest and fallfest which are free to undergraduate students, they recently had 3 days grace, the frey, Whiz Khalifa, and Common, Lupe Fiasco and busta Rhymes.

Food and Dining

Its not bad at all if you are not a vegetarian or Vegan, if you are the options get repetitive. there are options for pretty good food in the residence area and in the academic complexes, so you wont go hungry.

Dorm Life

Living on campus is so expensive, the food is pretty good, very little vegetarian and vegan options besides the normal rabbit food salad, but if your okay with eating mac and cheese, pizza and fruit you will be fine. you also have access to a pretty great gym.

Academic Rigor

This research institute will challenge you. You can have faith that the degree you earn will be worth something in the real world.

Tips for prospective students

Talk to advisers before declaring a major. Never fall behind (the party scene is satisfying and can have an intense call to the weak willed.) Explore all the options available to you here. Find cheaper off campus housing as soon as you can.

In three sentences

out of 10 stars i give UB 8. Campus is great and so is the diversity, However the university treats its students as if they are just their 8-digit person number. They are making adjustments but it is clear that UB2020 is the major goal of this institution. There is support available, and doing research is always encouraged and recommended. I would consider returning for another undergraduate degree.

Yarini from Bronx, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Campus Safety

Very safe, police is at every corner!

Clubs and Activities

It has everything from major sports like baseball and football, a wide variety of clubs, from ethnic groups to even paranormal clubs.

Great for these types of students

I think every students will be comfortable here.

What to do for fun

This school has so much in store when it comes to having fun! From parties to club activities, sports events, concerts, shows, movies, the mall, you have anything and everything to enjoy your stay at the university.

Food and Dining

At first it might not be the best, that's if you are not accustom to the types of food they serve there, but trust me it is quite worth it. You will find yourself eating even more than what you though you will eat.

Dorm Life

Dorm life shall be fun, as long as you know what you want. Like if you will like multiple roommates or just yourself. The dorms are pretty big and acceptable for an incoming student.

Academic Rigor

This school really focuses on so many majors that you could choose from, so you will never feel like you don't know what your career choice is, even when undecided along the lines you will know what your major is.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you visit the college, set goals to what you are going or want to do once you start the college. Don't hold back on anything, and stay on task, whether it is with your social life, financial life, and most importantly your academic life.

In three sentences

One of the best colleges to go away and have a great college experience. The campus is extremely big and it is very diverse. With multiple majors, it's academic courses are wide enough to satisfy every students need to graduate in there choice of major.

Paris from Buffalo, NY

08/10/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The police have always done random checks for suspicious behavior. along with campus police always on top of everything. If you are walking at night from Capen Hall, there will be security who will happily walk you to your destination.

Clubs and Activities

Honestly there is a club out there for everybody that it is crazy. That causes some people to think of how they can fit it all. You have to be selective honestly, you cannot pick every club and be an active member. Pick the ones you find the most interesting and try to stick with it.

Great for these types of students

Active, Fun, talkative and social. Nice students will get far because nobody likes a jerk at UB. So be nice to people even if you are shy and reserved if you are a nice person, people will like you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Certain places have cliques that have become dominated by them because they just simply hang out there all the time. As Break-dancers who will dance in the flag room at random times. The drag show will be very enjoyable to anybody with a sense of humor.

Bang for the buck

UB is generally not that expensive compared but it is still money. If you don't sit around all day you will get the most out of your experience and money you spent going to school. You shouldn't be docile.

What to do for fun

You can hang out in other people's dorm. There are many events that happen. The fun is usually up to you a lot, because some may like to party near Main St and go to clubs but others like little get together and others like to be alone. It's best to have a friend to share these with because being a loner at college is not the way to have fun at all

Food and Dining

The sheer amount of food on campus will astound. half the time you will get food for free too. There is a lot of variety, there is Chinese, Japanese, Greek, american and some other variations of traditional food Along with themes when certain events, they will introduce you to many different kind of foods you will love to enjoy yourself. I have never once got sick of the food there, although we all miss home-cooking.

Dorm Life

This can go either way. It can be the best time or the worst time. It really depends on your floor and roomie. A lot of kids complain but many kids love dorming with a passion. I for one, love it. But others don't because the rooms can be small and there are instances where the drunken floor mates will get on your nerves. Your roommate is a big factor, if you do not get along, it will be awkward and annoying being in your room at all.

Academic Rigor

Not to hard at all. The only time it really does get hard is if you fall behind. But if you stay on top of it all, you will do great. There are of course, some professors that load you up but that should be expected since there is always that teacher on campus.

Tips for prospective students

Do not underestimate yourself, you can do more if you try. If you have any kind of trouble, ask people, you are paying them. get involved in something, if you wanted, you could literally have no downtime.

In three sentences

The campus is very lively and active, you will not be bored. The classes will engage you if you try, and if not there are outside class work that will help you become involved. The amount you can do here, you will defiantly leave here with a smile and knowledge.

Jessica from Albany, NY

Mostly Long Island people, greek life tends to not associate with people not in greek life.

What to do for fun

There are always activities on campus, including 3 free concerts that are put on every year. There are always things happening on the weekend.I am never bored.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be afraid of how large the school might seem. Just throw yourself in there, and don't waste any time meeting new people! That was my mistake, definitely just don't be shy and you will make plenty of friends.

Lauren from Niagara Falls, NY

08/28/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The campus police are truly the best. Their average response time to any emergency is around sixty seconds. Also, there are emergency towers located around campus. The security also utilizes text message to warn students about crimes on campus and weather advisories.

Greek Life

Many sororities call this place home. They even have their own store within the campus so you can buy all the right attire to fit right in!

Clubs and Activities

There are so many clubs and activities that you would be busy for the entire semester! If you're a singer but don't have the courage to join a choir class, there's an intermediate choir club to sing for fun. Clubs like that are offered all the time.

Great for these types of students

University at Buffalo is fantastic for any type of student! The campus and programs suit any students needs or desires for a specific education goal they have. But, if you're aspiring to be in the medical field, this is the college for you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

University at Buffalo has it's infamous Fall Fest, which is filled with great music, delicious food and friendly people. Behind the bookstore there is a quiet courtyard with a cute little fountain, it's a very useful get away from all the chaos during the day.

Bang for the buck

This school is definitely worth the tuition! The quality of the campus and the dedication of the all the teachers and professors speaks for itself. Every student here is always looking to get the best out of their education.

What to do for fun

The campus is always hosting some event for students to do throughout the day on breaks or in between classes. It could range from mini-golf to a BBQ. Or if the theater is your idea of fun, there's always shows going on by the theater students.

Food and Dining

So much food!! Because of the amount of international students that attend, there is a separate building just for all the international cuisine! So, if you're craving Thai, Japanese or German food, University at Buffalo is bound to have the food you love!

Dorm Life

Although I personally do not dorm, I've heard many great things about the dorms here. New dorms are constantly being built due to the high demand on student living. Never the less, you're bound to feel right at home soon enough.

Academic Rigor

Better be competitive when you're at this school because everyone is extremely motivated to be educated here. Although the size of the classrooms are intimidating, the material is easy to grasp. Academic tutors are everywhere, so questions are always welcome!

Tips for prospective students

To any new student, you will ultimately fall in love with this school! The atmosphere and energy is just wonderful and uplifting! The campus itself is gorgeous and it really shows the students care about it.

In three sentences

The students are very diverse but focused and friendly. The campus is huge compared to a community college but it's easy to navigate through and beautiful as well! And better put on some good walking shoes because you get your daily exercise walking to each class.

Shaythia from Syracuse, NY

Everyone's safe thanks to the dorms locking at 5 and security guards and the campuses own police force

Greek Life

Fun and tons of safe parties

Clubs and Activities

So many are offered like tennis club,chess club , any club you can think of and if they don't have it you can start it with the unions approval

Great for these types of students

Fun smart energetic and friendly

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Nope

Bang for the buck

Super cheap but also gives you everything a private school could plus more

What to do for fun

I go out with my friends to school sponsored parties and meet new people

Food and Dining

Great food and great restaurants but remember to always include some kind of vegetable in all meals

Dorm Life

Friends are super easily made and theres always something happening

Academic Rigor

Awesome it will help you succeed

Tips for prospective students

Don't procrastinate Don't party on school nights

In three sentences

Great school with awesome professors. There are tons of activities to do all the time including school sponsored parties. If you are looking for a place that is cheap but a great place to learn and succeed university at buffalo is the perfect place .

Bryan from Amherst, NY

The main campus located centrally in Amherst is very safe, however, the south campus in the city of Buffalo is often the scene of robbery and some sparse violent crime.

Greek Life

With a large number of greek institution UB caters to just about any student niche. Included in Greek life are professional business fraternities of which I joined Pi Sigma Epsilon and have thoroughly enjoyed my time.

Clubs and Activities

Anything and everything from sports teams to religious organizations. You can find like minded individuals interested in the same things you are very easily.

Great for these types of students

Students that can handle a larger campus and larger class size. If you need help you have to aggressively seek it (It is there though). Staying organized is a must because it can be hard in a larger class to get the individual attention when you don't know whats going on

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Mudfest, a huge volleyball game set squarely in a pit of mud is an odd but enjoyable one. The greek columns set across a beautiful on campus lake makes for a wonderful spot to pack a lunch and relax or take a date for a romantic picnic.

Bang for the buck

For the cost versus a private school UB just makes sense. THough sometimes considered more prestigous, private schools will pick your pocket for the same level education just to give you there Name. I can vouch for this as I had to decide if I wanted to sell everything i own just to go to Cornell or go to UB and enjoy life. I made the right choice.

What to do for fun

The greater Buffalo/Niagara region offers tons of great things to do at low or small cost. The caveat to that is a car is needed for much of it. Niagara Falls, shows at the Outer Harbor and a world class theme park (Darien Lake) are very close to the campus area. Heritage districts in buffalo have celebrations regularly and with 2 major (Buffalo Bills and Sabres) and several minor (Buffalo Bisons, Bandits) teams you can catch an event just about any weekend.

Food and Dining

On campus dining could use a revamp however there are adequate facilities and rarely a wait more then a few minutes for good solid food. The exception is the Tim Hortons in the Jacobs Management building which, at times can become packed.

Dorm Life

Never dormed but heard many positive reviews of the facilities

Academic Rigor

Quality is central to the academic practices of the school and applied learning is a major focus. However, on the low end it seems almost a little too easy to just pass.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved in activities early (freshman year) when courses are easy and when you have time to explore. That way you can establish yourself in an area that you like. Also, treat no class as a blow off and remember that you are paying for every minute of teaching time your instructors give you .

In three sentences

An above average education with numerous extra curricular activities. Professors willing to go the extra mile to assist students in not only taking in information but applying it. A wide variety of world class programs allowing a student the opportunity for tremendous personal and educational growth.

Hazel from Centreville, VA

09/19/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

UB is a public school, meaning they are partially funded by the state. That means we don't have rent-a-cops like private universities do where they're basically glorified mall cops who sweep problems under the rug for the best interest of the school. UB's campus police are New York State Troopers that have been assigned to us. They carry everything cops carry and are trained as such. UB also has a service that you can call to get an escort at night from whatever building you are in to your dorm or car. Overall, on campus I feel very safe.

Academic Rigor

At UB, to be a professor, you have to be actively researching in the field you are teaching. Sometimes, this means that the professor won't care as much about teaching but I have found that it provides students with unique opportunities. It gives you something to talk about during their office hours so that you can build a relationship with your professor and it gives undergraduates the opportunity to be involved in research projects and have the possibility of co-publishing a paper as an undergraduate. I personally haven't had any trouble with my professors; they are all fantastic and definitely qualified to be here, but some of my friends have had a few finicky professors that they don't care for, but that is to be expected no matter where you go to school.

Alison from East Aurora, NY

10/21/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

UB has the Blue Light System which are seen on a lot of campuses now. If you push the button, campus police are supposed to arrive within the minute. UB also has a really nice system students can sign up for which alerts you by email or even text message of problems and reports the police have been dealing with. It is nice they keep the students in the loop about what is going on so you do not have to find out from rumors that spread. All the campus police, I have found out, are actual police officers. And speaking form experience, they respond really quickly to fire alarms that unfortunately go off often in the dorms.

Greek Life

I am not a part of Greek life so I cannot say much here, but I know that most of the houses are on South Campus where the health and medicine classes are. All of my classes, along with most of the other freshmen, are on North. There is a well kept bus that can take you on the fifteen minute ride to South though.

Clubs and Activities

UB literally has a club for everything. Even if they do not have a club for what you like to do, you could found one with a few signatures and a faculty advisor. All the clubs get a budget from the school so they are able to cut costs dramatically for students. I am a part of an Intramural Volleyball team this year and it is so much fun to still be able to do sports but not have it interfere with school because intramurals are much less of a commitment.

Great for these types of students

If you are a student who likes constantly meeting new people, doesn't mind diversity and not afraid to stand out, UB is for you. I am finding out people are not going to hand you opportunities for things like research and study abroad. These are things, that because the school is so big, you have to seek out for yourself. To me, it makes me feel like more of an independent adult, finding answers myself by talking to other students and professors instead of asking your parents to do it (like I did throughout high school).

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every Parents weekend, which is in the middle of October, UB puts on a carnival with real rides followed by a bonfire and fireworks. It was a lot of fun to hang out with my family and a much needed break from classes. Every year, UB brings well known people to speak in a tradition known as the Distinguished Speaker's Series. Past speakers have included Lance Armstrong, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Also, Every spring, the entire campus and alumni get fired up for a volleyball tournament known as Ooze Fest. It is basically playing volleyball in a giant mud pit. This will be my first year participating and I am super excited. There are also a lot of concerts and shows which are all free for students.

Bang for the buck

I decided to come to UB because of the money. It has a really good reputation for a research university. The classes are really good and most of the professors do their job well. I still like to go home every once in a while just to take a break, but I really love UB. There are so many opportunities here, but you just have to find the information and gather up the nerve to step out of the comfort zone a little in order to get the best out of college.

What to do for fun

There are always activities going on in the Student Union. They usually go all day, so you do not have worry about class conflicts. I have walked into the Student Union for lunch and found a Build-A-Bear Factory, a drag show and a African cultural bazaar before. Most of which offered free food. On weekends, there is always stuff going on. Football games, activities in the dorms, carnivals, and huge bonfires. I just joined Asoxination where you have to killother people in your dorm by throwing clean socks at them. Workshops are offered about many of the academic aspects of UB like research and study abroad so they show students how to get started. I have found those super helpful. Also, because the campus is so close to Buffalo, there is a lot to do in the city like the Albright Knox Art Museum and the Buffalo Zoo.

Food and Dining

Campus food is campus food. There is better food in the Ellicott dorms. They have more choices of restaurants whereas governors only has Late Night where you can get food after the dining hall closes and the dining hall. A lot of my friends end up walking to Ellicott for dinner. The dining halls are all you can eat which you need to be careful of. For lunch usually everyone goes to the Student Union because it is close to the academic buildings. There is a Tim Horton's, Moe's Mexican Food and Jamba Juice which sells smoothies. They are all super popular. Expect to wait in line for food here though, there are, after all, about 19,000 students. I always complain about waiting in line for food, but if you time it right, you can go between rushes when classes get out. All freshman are required to have a meal plan. I would suggest the fourteen plan over the 19. A lot of times I find myself scrambling to use the remaining meals because they expire at the end of the week, and if you do not use them, you lose the money you used to pay for them. Even if you want to eat three meals a day in the dining hall or at the Union, you have $300 in dining dollars to use. I do not mind eating breakfast in my room though.

Dorm Life

I love living in a dorm. I live in the honors dorms so they are relatively quiet which is so nice because I can study in my room or the lounge without much disturbances, but if it gets too hectic, I always have the study center in my dorm and other libraries that are open 24/7. Everyone here is so nice and friendly. If you decide to dorm over commuting there is definitely a social advantage because you eat, live, and sleep with your friends. The rooms in the Governors Complex are a lot smaller than Ellicott dorms, but they are definitely livable. My friends once had a movie party with about ten people in one room. Roommates was something I was nervous about. I ended up finding my roommate on Facebook and we decided to request each other. It has worked out fabulously, we get along great! UB does not do any personality match quizzes for roommates, but I have not heard of anyone who has a really bad problem with their roommate. Depending on where you live, in Governors or Ellicott, the academic spine is five to fifteen minute walk from your dorm which could be annoying in the winter. Its not too bad because the academic buildings are connected through tunnels.

Academic Rigor

The work is very different from high school. There is no daily homework, but labs and essays are usually given a week in advance so as long as you pace yourself and plan what to do when the work is definitely doable. I always keep lists of things to and an agenda to write everything down, otherwise all the work is hard to keep track of. The tests are always worth a lot because sometimes they are the only things that determine your grade. Most classes have 3 to 4 tests for an entire semester. Keep the syllabus the professors hand out the first day, it basically tells you, day by day, what is happening in class. Make sure you do research on your professors because some of them are a little rough.

Tips for prospective students

If you want to come to UB, you have to know that it is really big school. General classes for the first few years have around 400 students in a lecture so getting to know your professors is a must. I have been told that they get smaller when you get further into your major. The teaching advisors (TAs) definitely know you better and the smaller recitations give you the small classroom feel. I am in the honors college and so far I like how it feels like a smaller community within the huge campus. There are extra classes for it, but they only last two semesters. Food is located in all the dining halls so no need to get dressed for breakfast. The top decider for me to attend here was the cost, it was the most affordable. I definitely think UB is a great school with a great reputation and well worth the investment.

In three sentences

UB is a City in and of itself. The classes are definitely big for the popular majors here. Everyone is super friendly and so spirited, we all love and take pride in our school.

Ashli from Binghamton, NY

12/03/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

A fun tradition is in the spring. There is something called Oozefest. It is a mud volleyball tournament and there are at least 50 teams that enter and play against one another. Also Fall Fest and Spring Fest are really fun. The school gets famous bands to come, for example last year there was Tyga, Rick Ross, Fabolous for Spring Fest and The Fray for Fall fest. Plus these are free for students, which is always a plus.

Food and Dining

The food here is pretty good. However you tend to get bored of having the same things over and over again. A new dining hall just opened though and it is very good. It has different food and a lot of it is create your own, for example pizza.

Dorm Life

The dorms are pretty nice. The rooms are a decent size and if you have a preference for what type of room to have you will more than likely be accommodated. The halls I've lived in have been quiet and people are generally very friendly. The RA's are also really nice.

Academic Rigor

This is a great academic school. All of the professors I've had really seem to care about their jobs and the students and are willing to help. You will get a good education here.

Tips for prospective students

If you want a big school, this would definitely be a contender. Although the sciences are hard, you can get through them.

In three sentences

Buffalo is a great university for science students, although it is hard. It is a large school with division one sports. The weather here is nice, but it gets very cold.

Caitlin from Rochester, NY

12/06/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The campus is a very safe place. We have our own police department on campus that have a constant presence. In addition there are always people to walk with you if you are on campus late studying and do not want to walk back to your dorm by yourself.

Greek Life

While Greek life does not have a huge presence on campus i would recommend getting involved. There are both professional and social fraternities and sororities. I am currently in a professional business fraternity and it has made my college experience 10X better.

Clubs and Activities

There are tons of clubs to get involved with on campus and if you do not see one that you like you can always just start your own. The clubs have a large presence on campus and holds tons of interesting events. There is always something to do with clubs even if you are not a member.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

During the warmer months there are tons of places to study outside. It is nice to study with a view of Baird Point and the lake.

Bang for the buck

With in-state tuition being relatively cheap attending UB is really a school that offers the most bang for your buck. Every school within the university is highly accredited and you leave every class knowing that you learned a lot that you will be able to apply in the future.

What to do for fun

There are always tons of events on campus from clubs hosting events to sporting events. You can walk through the union and see a club hosting an event that is open to anyone. UB has tons of sporting events that a lot of students enjoy attending.

Food and Dining

The university just built a new dining hall in the dorms which is quite delicious. There are tons of places to eat with a wide variety of things to choose from. There is food from a variety of different regions around the world, like Korean, Indian, Japanese and Mediterranean. No matter where you are on campus you will be able to enjoy great food.

Dorm Life

The dorms are a reasonable size and are far enough away from classes where you don't feel like you are still at school. The resident advisors hold events that try to get your entire floor involved which is beneficial for freshman and transfer students. Your resident advisor will try to make your floor into a close little family.

Academic Rigor

While the classes are challenging they are not impossible. Professor make sure that student know everything they need to do to get an A and leave it up to the students to put in the work. when you finish classes you feel as though you earned your grade and learned a lot from the class.

In three sentences

The University at Buffalo is a university that brings together schools from different cultures into a diverse and fun environment. The challenging classes and reasonable tuition make you feel as though you are getting the most for your money. Attending the university will allow you to constantly learn inside and outside of the classroom.

Jessica from Elma, NY

While I've never felt threatened on campus weekly emails are sent reporting robberies, more of which are becoming armed.

Great for these types of students

Independent and self driven learners who work far ahead of scheduled plans.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Many cadaver donor bodies are actually cremated and deposited right on north campus in a memorial that is a focal point of the lake on campus and the focal point for concert and firework or festival events,

Bang for the buck

For a state institution it is getting far too over priced. The inability to register on time for required courses results in useless excess spending.

What to do for fun

The advantage to a huge school is the huge activity base. From free movie night to free local food festivals UB has everything. A mud volleyball tournament is an annual must and while the football team is nothing to rave about the festivities to go with it are sure to put you in the mood anyway.

Food and Dining

The food at UB is very expensive. However the product is decent and they have many traditional chain businesses on campus who accept both bash or campus cash for convenience.

Dorm Life

The dorms are nothing special. Clean enough but paper thin walls and cramped quarters for anyone who isn't an honors student can make cram time difficult!

Academic Rigor

Many courses here have unrealistic expectations. Plan on teaching yourself in most cases and to find tests much more difficult than in class material. This isn't a school with a dog eat dog reputation for nothing and it isn't designed for the student who has other obligations.

Tips for prospective students

Prospective students should plan to enroll in summer courses and take many entry level courses at other institutions. Courses are large and overfull and unless you are lucky enough to establish an advisor in your corner with force registration powers you can kiss your chances of getting into required courses within a reasonable amount of time goodbye.

In three sentences

When starting at UB no one tells you just how large and impersonal the institution really is. While this college certainly has all the factors of a top notch educational institute and offers many respectful majors there is little to no support from most of the staff. The college treats prospective students with more respect than its current students as it hasn't yet collected their money and the more recruits the easier it is the bury tuition hikes beneath paper thin qualifications.

Tom from Manorville, NY

12/14/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

South campus is a little sketchy, but travel with friends and you shouldn't have a problem.

What to do for fun

There are countless events going on all the time, inter mural sports, a club for every activity you can possibly think of, parties, and anything you and your buddies can think of. I can't list everything, but trust me when I say it's pretty hard to be bored.

Food and Dining

The food was good to begin with, and then they added a new dining center. The new dining center is filled with excellent, high quality food that's pretty different from most college food. On top of that, there are tons of small restaurants to chose from. Bottom line, you have options for food and they're all great.

Dorm Life

I was lucky to have an amazing RA who loves his job so my dorm experience has been nothing short of awesome; there are activities going on all the time hosted by the RA's. The bathrooms are decent and the showers aren't bad at all. I've never had to wait more then a minute to use the shower and that only happened twice.

Academic Rigor

I'm in the engineering program so it's rigorous by nature, but the program at UB is just as much fun as it is challenging. It is very easy to get overwhelmed, but if you study everyday for a few hours it will be a breeze and you will have plenty of time for other activities. It's all time management.

Tips for prospective students

Try to be as diligent as possible on your studies from day 1. It can get overwhelming sometimes, but if you have good study habits throughout the semester you will be fine. If you decide to go party on South (which you probably will at least once), bring a group of people you trust and be responsible.

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is exciting and diverse with plenty of academic and non-academic activities available to students. It's a great school in terms of the academics, college life, food, and atmosphere. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would give UB a solid 8.

Bridget from Orchard Park, NY

12/20/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

UB is a very safe campus. They have police on constant surveillance of the entire campus and they have Blue Lights posted all over which have a button you can press if you are in danger and the police are immediately notified of your location and you are video taped so they can see what the situation is. The school also has a Shuttle service that you can call at anytime and it will pick you up and take you to your dorm. If you are studying late in the library there are volunteers there nightly that will walk you to your dorm, bus stop, or car. It is hard to feel unsafe on campus when you see how hard the University is working to keep you protected.

Greek Life

Although I am not part of Greek life it is a big part of UB. Since UB is such a large school there are many different Sororities and Fraternities They are always volunteering around campus and have booths set up in the Student Union raising money for different foundations. My friends who are a part of Greek life say that it has helped them make new friends and they are very pleased with their decision to join.

Clubs and Activities

UB has a club for EVERYTHING. Some popular clubs are True Blue(sports fans), Schussmeisters(skiing/snowboarding), Outdoor Adventure. Those are just a few. There are clubs based off of majors, religions, and ethnicity. UB has made sure that every single student can find a club to interest them and if not it is easy to start a club of your own.

Great for these types of students

UB is great for students who are motivated to learn. To be successful here you have to put a lot of work and effort in. The classes are tough, but still enjoyable. You also have to be okay with lots of diversity and large crowds. UB is an extremely large school with students and staff from all over the world. The class sizes are large so in order for one on one time with your professor prepare yourself to go to their office hours because it is hard to talk to them during class.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every spring UB hosts Oozefest which is a volleyball tournament in a huge mud pit. Students form teams with their friends and compete against each other. As a freshman I am looking forward to participating in this tradition!

Bang for the buck

As a SUNY school UB offers a lot for their low price. You receive an excellent education, beautiful facilities, activities like concerts and sports games, and an amazing academic community. I love being a student here and would not have gone anywhere else.

What to do for fun

Sports are a very big thing at UB. Football and basketball games are highly attended. Students get into sporting events for free which is always nice. There are tons of music and theatre options like plays, musicals, and concerts on campus. UB also has a Distinguished Speakers Series which only costs $15 for students and you can go see people like Laura Bush and Blake Mycoskie speak. There are also many clubs to join and lots of events to attend like free movies every weekend. UB also offers gyms and free exercise classes for students to keep healthy and fit. It is impossible to be bored at UB.

Food and Dining

UB has lots of dining options. There is a brand new dining hall by the dorms that has a make your own soup station, Chinese station, home style meal station, vegetarian station, and a gourmet station that you can pay extra for. There is also a food court area by the dorms that has a sub place, burger place, Mexican place, and a Coffee/Ice Cream shop. In the student union by where the classes is Tim Horton's, Moe's and a Jamba Juice along with another food court. You will never go hungry at UB and your taste buds will never be bored. And if you have dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegetarian, or kosher do not worry UB has plenty of options for you too. A vegetarian myself I am very pleased with what UB has to offer.

Dorm Life

Living in the dorms is a great experience. I highly recommend it! There are all styles of dorm rooms(singles, doubles, triples, and quads). The dorms at UB are very clean and provide lots of opportunities for students. I live in a quad and my roommates and I get along well. Living in the dorms allows you to make close friends that you can lean on especially during exam time. There lounges on every other floor where you can cook and hang out and there is a silent study area that has computers and printers. There is a women's and men's bathroom per floor and you will be sharing your bathroom with approximately 10-12 other people. I thought that sharing a bathroom would be bad, but there is hardly ever a wait and the cleaning staff keeps it very clean. There is a Resident Adviser that lives on each floor. They are current students who are there to provide guidance if needed and help to mediate roommate problems.

Academic Rigor

The classes at UB are very challenging. I suggest doing all of your textbook reading assignments as they will prepare you for the tests. Most classes are lecture style and have at least 100 students per class. The workload for classes is usually weekly textbook and article readings, a few papers per semester ranging from 2-6 pages and definitely a mid term and a final exam. Length and hardness of tests depends on professor. Make sure you always go to class and get all of the notes!

Tips for prospective students

Work on your leadership skills through volunteering and joining clubs at your high school. UB places lots of emphasis on volunteering and leadership not only on your application, but also once you are at the school. There are always new clubs to join and leadership opportunities to take. Do not worry about whether your professors will be mean all of mine so far have been nice and understanding. Also if you plan on living in the dorms do not worry about leaving home. It was very easy to make lots of friends and there are always tons of activities going on to keep you busy. You will have no time to be home sick!

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is a great school. The academics are challenging, but classes are enjoyable and fun. When you are there you feel as though you are part of a community who accepts everyone.

Adonijah from Brooklyn, NY

Not a lot of crime happens but most of it occurs around 2am or later when people are either drunk or putting themselves in dumb situations

Greek Life

great Greek life and parties, lots of sororities and frats to join.

Clubs and Activities

too many clubs and activities of wide variaties for me to just list here alone

What to do for fun

hang out at the student union with friends, party, chill with people on your dorm floor, be adventurous, go to games, join clubs

Food and Dining

Great food but after a while you get tired of the same old.

Dorm Life

pretty great but size of rooms vary from dorm locations. South has the biggest dorm rooms on campus.

Academic Rigor

depending on what classes or major you plan to go down it can be pretty challenging

Tips for prospective students

Choose your roommate and dorm on north if you'd rather be close to food, school and bigger group of people. Dorm on south if rather more people close together, love to travel to school, closer to parties, not great food, not big group of people.

In three sentences

Relaxing,fun and adventurous place to attend. Easy to get lost if you're new to the campus. Also meet alot of funny, smart and great people.

Sarah from Batavia, NY

Food and dining is excellent at the University at Buffalo. There are so many different places to get food, and there are vending machines for a quick snack in every single building.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is not very good or fun. It is difficult to get homework and studying done when other students come into the room or the roommate won't stop talking. It is also difficult to sleep there because most of the college kids are up late partying with music and it makes it difficult to sleep.

Academic Rigor

Expectations from the professors are very high which causes most of the academics to be difficult. A lot of time needs to be spent doing homework and studying.

In three sentences

The college campus is great to walk around on and getting from class to class is easy, even though it is such a large campus. For commuters, parking is not that difficult, especially since there are parking lots designated for commuting students. Finding places to eat on campus is great and there is a lot of variety in the food choices and prices.

Igor from Amherst, NY

01/08/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

99% of the time, it's safe. The remaining 1% has to do with the occasional robberies, thefts, assaults, etc. that go on very early morning from time to time. Go to sleep and stop hanging around late at night, especially by yourself!

Greek Life

U.B. has it but I never had the time to explore it. I heard that it was pretty good.

Clubs and Activities

There are a huge variety of different school clubs and activities to choose from (just avoid the ones that want your money).

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every location on U.B. is fair game and interesting (except the classrooms!).

Bang for the buck

If you can find plenty of scholarships/grants that can at least cover $6,000 (that's just the basic tuition, Medical insurance, and fees!), then it's at least HALF worth it. Lower your expectations of how awesome it'll be going to U.B. because it's an all-around mess. If you can keep yourself busy with positive things, then the annoyance will be considerably less.

There is a lot of cheap (cost and health wise) food, so stick to places like Subway, and the pre-made subs, sandwhiches, salads, and the like. Otherwise, it'll be more like freshman 50.

Dorm Life

I tried dorming for one semester and it sucked! You are going to lose your sleep, privacy, comfort, and peace of mind. APPRECIATE what your parents have given you up to this point in time because you are going to pine for the days when you had an actual home to come to. Dorming is what everyone makes it out to be! (I'm looking at you, partiers and drinkers)

Academic Rigor

If you are an engineering major like I am, then yes it will be challenging but worth it. Then again, why wouldn't it be? If you have another major (especially non-math, -science, -physics, and -IT related), then you are most likely going to have too much fun and time on your hands!

Tips for prospective students

Drop the high school mentality (nobody cares that you were the most popular/hotest at your school), U.B. is not about partying all day and night (we actually work our asses off), respect yourself AND the people around you regardless of race, religion, class, and gender, don't be afraid to talk to new people (get to know as many as possible but be warned), DO get familiar and speak with your professors (it will be worth it later on), avoid all the cheap and fast food, don't purchase textbooks from the university store (it's a frickin' monopoly for crying out loud!) volunteer, be yourself, and make a positive difference.

In three sentences

U.B. is a relatively affordable university but it can get expensive really quick if you are not capable of doing your research ahead of time (i.e scholarships and grants) in order to know what you must pay and how this school can screw you over with billing mistakes. This university is high quality but that is somewhat tarnished by constant fees, increases in tuition, overly expensive Medical insurance and textbooks, average and underwhelming professors, and constant problems with class and final exams scheduling. It's not a bad university but its reputation certainly gives itself too much credit---it's deceiving.

Anonymous

The sushi can be better. Haha. However the new dining hall that opened up recently makes up for it. (:

Dorm Life

Dorm life is alright. I am lucky and I don't live in any of the party dorms. Try to avoid Wilkeson if you can. Spaulding is one of the better ones. Plus, we have lights in our rooms.

Academic Rigor

The professors are okay here. Could be better. the amount of work is like any other college. Although the professors are pretty lenient when you actually talk to them, you can definitely be easily stressed. My friends majoring in biomed, or pharmacy definitely have it harder.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely go out and interact with people. Join clubs. Don't stay in your dorm all the time. Although some students may be assholes you will be able to find at least one friend you can connect with because this school is so big.

In three sentences

Buffalo is a pretty good school. I like it here. Though a part of me wants to transfer because it really is too far from home. 8 hour long bus rides are not for me.

Eric from Buffalo, NY

Lots of cops and safety people, so if you are ever in trouble never fear, the cops are here.

Greek Life

Lots of frats and lots of people join.

Clubs and Activities

Oh yea lots of different clubs. If they don't have your club , you can make it with just like 10 people here. really great.

Great for these types of students

For people who love the cold, and for people who love to party and have fun.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Go Bulls !!

Bang for the buck

yea it is really worth the money, at first i wanted to go to binghamton, but then i came here and i really loved it.

What to do for fun

Well of course party and activities provided from school, and of course concert and the ski clubs

Food and Dining

Eh the food here isn't as good, so there are other places to eat.

Dorm Life

Very good, i am currently living in Goodyear hall in south campus, which is a nice freshman dorm. I love living here.

Academic Rigor

very good, since i am a nursing major the curriculum is really high and demanding, but still the school expects a lot of the students that come here.

Tips for prospective students

If you ever want to come here, visit first and decide.

In three sentences

It is nice and cool, the people are all friendly and there is a lot to do. the professors and all nice and not that mean, but some are. The south campus seems more lively and better than north campus. not much to do in north but a lot to do in south. so i say its pretty good.

Amy from Brooklyn, NY

01/30/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I find that campus is safe as long as you are not out late and alone. Always have a buddy be with you. If not, the school does provide safety shuttle bus and offer someone to walk with you so it's more safe.

Clubs and Activities

There are many types of clubs and activities. One can even start their own club as long as you get an amount of students to join.

Great for these types of students

Students who are aiming to be: Architect, Pharmacy, Engineering

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The lakes and student park are some nice locations on campus to go to when warm.

Bang for the buck

Living in New York state, it is a lot cheaper than living out of state or even being International. I don't have to pay much except for living expense, because FAFSA covers my tuition.

What to do for fun

Some fun things to do is go out more, go to club activities, winter-fest, fall-fest. These festivals are operated by the students and it's open to everyone. It's free for University at Buffalo students. Other activities includes movie day (every week), going to the mall or market by the bus, which the school provides for us.

Food and Dining

The food on campus is decent, but if I do have time, I would prefer to cook.

Dorm Life

I lived in dorm for my first year, it was very enjoyable being able to interact with my floor-mates and roommate. Because the dorms were divided by year level, all my floor-mates were around my age making it easier to interact.

Academic Rigor

The academic is decent here. Some lectures are huge, mainly on subjects that are science. However there are classes that have about 24 people. Plus majority of the professors want you to do well, so interacting with them helps you learn more.

Tips for prospective students

Interact with other students and talk to the professor, this way connections are being made and will help your future. Also don't always study but go relax and chill with friends, this way you don't have to be stressed out 24/7.

In three sentences

It is a diverse school, with many people that are willing to help people get by. There are more than 1 library, so finding a place to study is not hard, unless it's final week you have to expect everyone to be in the libraries. Within this university, there are many clubs and activities to enjoy with friends.

Keep your options open and don't narrow down your academics as a freshman. A SUNY school, especially UB, is just as good as a private school and it will make your wallet happy.

In three sentences

It's a great place to make friends and an even better place to expand your academic horizon. UB doesn't always have the best professors but if you know who to take, you will be surprised how much you can learn! The variety of majors makes it easy to change your mind until you find something you love learning about.

Albina from Brooklyn, NY

03/11/2013

Reviewer is A past student here.

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Campus Safety

In my time there, I have never heard much issues with safety on campus. The most that's happened is several students fell asleep with their dorm door open, and someone came in and took something of theirs. Moral of the story is: if you are going to take a nap, close your door! Other than that, we have a very responsive on-campus police, and individuals outside of the library who, at your request, would walk you to your car.

Greek Life

I've never been involved in Greek life, but it is very prominent. You wouldn't be missing out on anything though if you chose to fly solo.

Clubs and Activities

UB has plenty of clubs which host plenty of activities. The variety is great. There's clubs in career advancement (pre-med, pre-pharm, business, etc), sports (Kendo, Kickboxing, Yoga, cultural dance, etc), personal development (Cultural clubs, religous clubs, community service clubs, etc), to clubs there just for fun (anime, Nerf, magic, etc). The population is large, and there's something for everyone.

Great for these types of students

UB is great for the ambitious that want to get involved in research. It doesn't matter which field. I've participated in cancer research and prenatal lung development research starting from my first semester. There's other student's that went abroad to Europe to help with archaeological dig sites, and other's went abroad to help build homes and deliver fresh water in third-world countries. Whatever your heart desires, in whatever field you are interested in, you can easily pursue an amazing career-advancing opportunity from your very first semester there. It's not required, but accessible.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Not that I know of. There's plenty of unusual thing's that go on, but none have really become traditional. The campus-wide Nerf war was super fun, and so was our campus-wide zombie apocalypse. Things like that, or our random cross-dressing competition, are common, but the events themselves are generally unique.

Bang for the buck

UB is very good about helping people succeed. Of course not required, there's plenty of lectures on resume-writing, availability of internships, research opportunities, study abroad, job placement, and much more. Being a state school, considering how much it offers, I'd say the tuition is very fair if not generous.

What to do for fun

There's plenty of clubs and greek life. We have guest speakers and bands/artist's constantly coming to campus, with free tickets to students. We've had the Dalai Lama, Bill Nye, Al Gore, Stephen Colbert, Michael Moore, etc. From artists, we've had three day's grace, ludacris, sean paul, all american rejects, etc. We've had some spontaneous activities such as a campus-wide zombie apocalypse, and campus-wide nerf war. Of course there's the campus teams. If you want to get off campus, many go to Clifton Hill, in Canada, which overlooks the Niagara Falls. It has the indoor water park, glow in the dark miniature golf, Ferris Wheel, dance clubs, bars, casino's, wax museum, arcade, and much more. There's plenty to do for everyone.

Food and Dining

Campus has meal plans with dining dollars. There's the typical residential hall buffet meals, which have woks, waffle-makers, etc, to the ability to use your meal plan in other places on campus, such as tim horton's, japanese food, sbarro's, chinese food, italian, wraps, etc. There's also the option to have food delivered to you for campus dining dollars.

Dorm Life

True college experience. Everything you need, from food, toiletries, study rooms, to lounges, pool table, video game systems, all in the same building. Residential Adviser's plan activities to get people to spend time together, but it's typical to just have your dorm door open and people come in and say hello. It helps that first-year's tend to be roomed in a hallway of people who have similar major's and share many of your classes.

Academic Rigor

Courses at UB are, for the most part, not a walk in the park. Of course this largely depends on your major, but if you are looking to be involved in engineering or the sciences, expect a significant amount of study time for even above-average grades. As with every school, however, business major's don't have much to worry about.

Tips for prospective students

If you are premed or prepharm, I would recommend going elsewhere for your prerequisites. This school has a significant prepharm and premed population, they are very competitive, and the classes are significantly harder in order to weed people out. Remember, medical schools only care what your grades are, not where you got those grades. However, if you are ambitious and want to get involved in research, study abroad, or get a true quality education with no significant regard for the top GPA's, then this is the school for you. Some classes are very large, so if you expect you would need a recommendation, make sure you make your presence known.

In three sentences

Large research university with many excellent academic programs. Very organized and values it's students - there's plenty of opportunities for success.

Nirosh from East Amherst, NY

04/01/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

South Campus has been a little unsafe at night, but like any city, be vigilant and try not to stick out like a sore thumb when you're alone at night. North Campus is probably the safest place on earth. Place is very heavenly and tranquil.

Greek Life

Not as complex as it would seem for a University this size, but still, a decent amount of work goes into preparing students to enter the real world through greek life frats and sororities. Very rewarding.

Clubs and Activities

Just an unlimited amount of things to do here and if its not what you're really searching for then there is a chance that you can make a club yourself. With the right motives and potential for positive social experiences.

Great for these types of students

Athletes, Intellectuals, Hipsters, Asians, People Watching Students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Not very unusual, but, the campus was made to be riot proof, so don't riot! We have a mud volleyball tournament every year that has been a very notable and rewarding experience.

Bang for the buck

Worth the education!

What to do for fun

Everyone usually goes to South Campus for all the frat and sorority parties the first couple years. But, over time, you'll see yourself adventuring into the city to see shows,exhibits, sports games and be way more involved in the realm of academia instead of alcohol.

Food and Dining

Dining hall isn't the best for your stomach, but, there are on campus options like MOES, Tim Hortons, Jamba Juice, Starbucks and various Cafes and Restaurants that have a lot of great food. Recently, (2013) there has been a student run restaurant that has actual chefs in training and its extremely worth the price and wait.

Dorm Life

It's not the best place to mingle because most people in the dorms are very reserved, however, over time you'll meet new people and then fun will unfold in front of you.

Academic Rigor

Depending on what you take, this University can fluctuate in academic rigor.

Tips for prospective students

Stay away from constant dining hall visits. Make friends that will excel your education experience. Do not worry if you don't like your major the first few years, there is always time to reconsider. Be involved. Be smart about weekend decisions. Don't act like its high school. Be sure to complete your work before socializing. Procrastination will happen, just don't let it get the best of you.

In three sentences

This place has been home for over 18 years of my life and I can't ask for a better environment. Everyone is friendly, hardworking and shows great potential for success. Being a research facility, UB offers great opportunities for students of all race, creed and walks of life.

Lindsey from Rochester, NY

Get involved join a team, club, Greek life everything here is fun and the bars are open to 4:00AM!

Tips for prospective students

Do not become overwhelmed with the class sizes and independence you are granted, just talk to other students and use your peers for guidance. help is always available, you just have to ask.

In three sentences

I think there is a huge range in levels of difficulty of courses and the quality of instructors, there are huge differences between different programs here. Overall I enjoy the school and my program (Biomedical Sciences). I like the size of the school, the community, athletics, and the endless opportunities available to students.

Martin from Buffalo, NY

South campus is sketchy sometimes but overall still safe. North campus is almsot always safe

Clubs and Activities

ALOT!!!

Bang for the buck

cant beat a big school like this at SUNY prices

What to do for fun

There is almost always somethin going on. The school does a great job of putting together various activities. And the night life is really good as well. Always parties going on.

Food and Dining

alot of different selections plu buffett style at some dorms which is my favorite :-)

Tips for prospective students

Study hard, especially if taking science based classes. Thy are all very tough.

In three sentences

Great education, great area, but th diversity can get to you sometimes. OVerall people are really nice and professors are helpful if you can get a hold of them. It is much better once you are done with your Gen. Ed. classes.

Lisa from Williamsville, NY

The campus is very big on safety. There is a system set up for individuals that study late into the night... you get a walking buddy, who walks you to your car at night.

What to do for fun

There are a number of different events that go on throughout the year, there are clue, sports teams, labs to work in. There is something for everyone.

Food and Dining

There are many different option offered on both campuses, that there is something for everyone.

Dorm Life

I did not dorm.

Academic Rigor

University of Buffalo is definitely a hard school. Studying is a must to do well.

Tips for prospective students

It is really important to get involved, you get to meet more people, and really have a good college experience.

In three sentences

I love the University at Buffalo. It is a large school, but offers the resources needed to students to feel like an individual student. There are so many different people, classes and programs offered; anyone can love it there!

Chelsea from East Amherst, NY

04/23/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Bang for the buck

It is one of the more cheaper schools, which is definitely a perk!

Food and Dining

UB is very health aware, if you are dieting, going here might make it easier because if you want ice cream on campus there is only one place to get it. (CVS) They have a lot of ethnic food so your taste buds can learn new things too. (Do yourself a favor and go to dancing chopsticks for chinese, so good)

Dorm Life

I do not dorm.

Academic Rigor

If you don't do anything you will not survive this school. Its not a community college but its not impossible either. The classes that I have attended will make you think about the world in multiple views. Educations purpose is to expand your horizons, they give you all the tools but you have to do the work.

Tips for prospective students

To any student, going to any school, college is what you make it. The more involved you get, the more friends you will have. The more you study the higher your grades will be. Whatever you do, don't waste it!

In three sentences

UB is a very diverse school that has something for everyone. Its many programs have professors who are knowledgeable about their field and its a safe environment. UB is one of the best!

Lee from Buffalo, NY

05/07/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

5star Amherst ,ny is the second safest place in the United States

What to do for fun

what to do for fun ? Field trips around the city of buffalo if you not from here it will blow your mind. you have football team the buffalo bills and the buffalo sabers and your very own buffalo bulls basketball,football,hockey you name we got it!!!

Food and Dining

always have deals for student for food and dinning and they will help you to save your money and the food is great home of the Buffalo wings!!!!!

Dorm Life

there dorm life at UB is great nice big rooms and separate bathroom no bunk beds. and alot of fun activites such as hiking, camp fire and arts and craft.

Academic Rigor

This university is within the top 10 for anything thats dealing with doctors,nurses and scienctists.

Tips for prospective students

Study hard and be a teachers pet. meaning the professors love to see students all the time and wanting to learn and understand the concept more

In three sentences

The university at buffalo gave a great oppertunity to continue my education from a community college. also this university believed in me because they seen my background as a student with me having special needs and over coming from it

anonomyous

You really have to find everything for yourself. If you like a little adventure and like the feeling of being lost.. Than I would recommend that you go to UB.

Food and Dining

Food is okay here. Everywhere to eat is all spread out around campus. Campus is just another huge city in itself.

Academic Rigor

Classes are intense.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you know what you want to do before jumping into this college. Its all about day one and so on.

In three sentences

I would suggest if you don't like to be known, would rather be preferred to as a number than come here. If you are looking for a little more intimate relations with a professor to student, student to student than look for another school. Classes are large in size.

Chelsea from South Ozone Park, NY

05/28/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There isn't one moment where I didn't feel safe on campus. There were many nights where I walked back to my dorm from the library at midnight or later and nothing happened to me. Not to say there weren't incidents that occurred with other students. But there are people available to walk you back to your dorm, which is awesome! And anything that happens on the campus is alerted to all students through e-mail. So no matter what all students are aware of what's going on on the campus regarding safety.

Greek Life

I'm not into Greek Life.

Clubs and Activities

I haven't tried out any clubs, but that is something I do plan to look into when I go back in the fall.

Bang for the buck

I feel that the price for attending is pretty reasonable. It was way cheaper than what I was paying my first year at a private college.

What to do for fun

This University has a wide variety of clubs, there isn't one thing that you cannot find. What I did for fun was Zumba classes, because I love to dance. This is something you have to pay for however, it's only $40 per semester for Zumba five times a week which is much cheaper than other gyms.

Food and Dining

I had a meal plan my first semester and felt it wasn't worth it. The meal plans are way too expensive and I came to realize that it's because the prices they set out for their food. Also I found that it didn't cater to different cultures. I am Spanish, and there was nothing that came close to what I'm used to in a Spanish home. I decided to cook for myself for the second semester. I found that not only did I save a lot of money, I was also able to eat what I felt like eating and not limited to the choices the school gives.

Dorm Life

I love the dorm life! I like the independence. I was fortunate to live in the towers which is known as the floors higher than 4. Which have less people sharing one bathroom, and the bathrooms are more presentable. The space given to an individual whether it be a single or double or more, I feel is a great amount.

Academic Rigor

The classes are great. Depending on the classes teachers are available, but that goes for every University. Yet even if the teacher isn't available, there are many other ways to get help. The grade distribution is always fair. The work is only hard if you don't put time to study, if you study you will excel in the course. This means you cannot decide to study for an exam the night before, because let me tell you now, it will give you depressing results.

Tips for prospective students

I suggest that students who want to attend the University make sure that the classes they are taking at their prior University is equivalent to University at Buffalo's courses. If you are going in as a Freshman, then all I have to say make sure you know how to prioritize. Make sure to study!

In three sentences

This school is amazing. I visited while I was in my first year at another University, and right then and there knew it was my dream school. After attending, it felt like home, felt like a real University, where I was supposed to be.

TY

If you have not been to the city: there are buffaloes hidden everywhere.

What to do for fun

Visit the city, parties, plenty of areas for down-time.

Food and Dining

It's okay. It's pricey on-campus, but off-campus there are a lot of options too.

Academic Rigor

Excellent.

Tips for prospective students

Make friends immediately! Jump onto opportunities when they are presented to you.

In three sentences

A fantastic and large pro-research institution, I would recommend SUNY at Buffalo for science or research geared students. Large, there is a variety of students and student organizations to become involved in. There is never a lacking of activity.

Christina from Brooklyn, NY

06/07/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The campus is quite safe at night and during the day. There are police and security guards on duty throughout the entire day. Also there are emergency buttons all over campus, so if you run into trouble, press one!

Bang for the buck

The tuition package is really reasonable and affordable. So I'd say come here if your looking to save money on your college education career.

What to do for fun

There's always activities or some kind of event going on throughout the week. The UB community really thinks about their students well being. For fun I usually go watch movies that have recently premiered in the UB student Union Theater on Fridays after my exams or go work out at the gym.

Food and Dining

HEY! We're rated #1 University out of the SUNY system to have the best dining. Enough said.

Dorm Life

Dorm life can go both ways in the spectrum of whether it was pleasant or really dreadful. It depends on which building complexes you decide to dorm at. The dorm complex I lived in was very quiet so I could concentrate on studying throughout my entire semester. There are also quiet hours enforced at night, so that's also a great thing about dorming in UB.

Academic Rigor

People really study in UB. There are teacher assistants everywhere that are happy to help undergraduates. The study centers are usually packed but there are always open study rooms for groups. Overall, it is a learning environment.

Tips for prospective students

If your coming UB as a science student, prepare yourself for a huge workload and always remember time management is the key to success in education and in life.

In three sentences

I find UB to be a very large friendly community and full of diversity. So it's a great place to find friends who have similar interests and goals, while studying for the same degree together. I'd rate Ub 4.0 out of 5.

Andrew from Brooklyn, NY

Food is great in brunch style, where you grab a plate and put whatever you want onto your plate to eat. Also there is a food court which is like a fast food place you find in a mall.

Dorm Life

Dorms are really nice, kept extremely clean. However you may not be used to it at first, but it will be fine after a while. Your dorm mates may be the group you hang out with for the reset of your college years.

Academic Rigor

Very strenuous at times, but in the end it is very rewarding with the amount of material you learn that will definitely impact you in the future.

Tips for prospective students

Be diligent in studying, you will definitely fall behind if you do not keep up.

In three sentences

It is a great school where there is a lot of diversity on campus. The campus is enormous, with lots of breathing room for students to walk around. Lastly the professors are great at teaching whatever subject they teach.

Joanne from Brooklyn, NY

06/20/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There are emergency blue phone poles with cameras on it that definitely provide the right security. There's always cops running around campus along with outside the campus especially on weekends when there are parties.

Greek Life

Greek life is only a small percentage of the student body for UB has such a big population but it's definitely big on campus. With everyone wearing their gear and letters and especially Greek Week, greek life isn't for everyone but if interested, it's definitely something to experience in order to know what it's about. You only know so much from looking on the outside.

What to do for fun

Definitely check out the Student Association and the various clubs that are available to you on campus. Join a club and go out for their events. UB's Student Association also provides fun activities and concerts that are free for undergraduate students therefore there's always something going on!

Food and Dining

Excellent food and dining services. With a brand new dining hall (C3) and a variety of food offered on campus in the SU and Commons, one thing has to satisfy your daily cravings! From Jamba Juice to even Canadian Tim Horton's.

Dorm Life

UB has different dorm situations and layouts that one will eventually go to your likings therefore UB's dorm life has a variety. From suite style to triples and quads, and with such a huge student body, you're bound to love the dorm life because everyone is away from home and willing to get to know each other.

Academic Rigor

A very competitive school especially for certain majors such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Pre-meds but UB definitely provides the proper education in prepping us for those majors. The pre-requisites preps us for before we actually get into program and with excellent academic advisors, they help advise and plan our years of college.

Tips for prospective students

We're all hundreds of miles away from home, you're not alone. The school may seem big in the beginning and hard to adjust to but give it time and eventually, you'll learn to love UB and what it has in store for you. Everyone is eager to make it their best college years and experience.

In three sentences

Overall, definitely a well rounded school that provides their students with the proper academics with amazing professors, clubs and activities that bonds the student body since were hundreds of miles away from home. Lastly, one of the greatest decisions of my life in choosing this school because it has made me learn so much and got me where I am now.

Anastasia from Rochester, NY

Social, driven, go-getters. Need to be outgoing and know how to speak for yourself and be your own advocate, otherwise you'll get lost in the crowd.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

South Campus is very old and cool.

Bang for the buck

It's SUNY--you're not going to find anything cheaper. The education is Ivy League standard for a SUNY cost.

What to do for fun

Late Night UB, Student Union always has things going on, different shows to go to, big concerts are held, mini carnivals held outside, etc. SO much to do.

Tips for prospective students

Learn good study and homework habits now--there is no room for slacking at UB. If you don't put forth 100% of your effort towards academics, you will not do well.

In three sentences

UB is a great school and offers many great opportunities. You are taught by brilliant professors who are truly experts in their area, and with a degree from here, you are bound to succeed. I couldn't see myself at any other college.

Jamie from East Aurora, NY

06/29/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Bang for the buck

Especially for in-state students.

Tips for prospective students

Do not fear the weather in Buffalo, because it is much milder and more enjoyable than outsiders believe. Explore and take advantage of the unique culture that an old city like Buffalo has to offer. Put the books down once in a while and participate in some of the awesome clubs and extracurricular programs UB has!

In three sentences

UB is a rapidly growing University with a small college atmosphere. There are always fun and cultural events being hosted by the school. UB is recognized as an elite University graduating students who are ready to enter the working force and desired by the regional businesses.

Robert from Buffalo, NY

NYS Police on Site and highly interactive with the students. However off campus is not covered, and is quite dangerous outside the campus. Be ware!

Bang for the buck

It is quite expensive to attend here, above and beyond that associated with financial aide. The student body is huge! 30,000 active students, and about 10,000 live on campus. Overall, alot of your fees etc get lost inbetween the cracks and unless you are highly aware, you spend alot more than you receive.

What to do for fun

The campus has its own movie theatre and laster tron activities, and nearby cities and active communities, including niagara falls, leaves you with just about something to do anytime you want 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Food and Dining

SUNY UB received NY's top #1 prestigious Dining Awards. This campus provides top tier excellent food to its students, staff and guests!

Dorm Life

This is an exceptionally socially and personally engaging environment. If you like to party and be social then this is the place for you! Even if you are anti-social, a wall flower or individualistic, there is something for everyone here!

Academic Rigor

The classes are tough due to the large size 125 or 250 size classes, almost all freshman classes are 250 in size! Professor engagement and individual attention is greatly limited. If you do well in a self initiated learning environment, then this is for you! If you (like me) require much more interactive presence, well this will be a challenging environment.

Tips for prospective students

Financial aide guidance is left up to the student. Connecting with student affairs for the sake of seeking other fiscal options is a must. Do as much of the orientation and other requirements online so that you do not have to spend to much time doing trivial things on campus! Live on campus, preferably north campus. Griener Hall is a BRAND NEW dormitory and is the one to get if you plan on living in the dorms! If you plan on living in the apartments, all units include utilities (especially south lake) EXCEPT Flickinger Court. Finally, bring a vehicle if you can. On campus transportation is great, however due to being new York, you are limited without a car!

In three sentences

SUNY Buffalo is a great social environment for prospective students with a great Alumni Organization. The administration is very helpful and the housing options on campus are noteworthy. Classes tend to be a challenge due to the size, and the student advisors, but the professors are friendly and supportive!

Tunde from Buffalo, NY

There are so many activities you can be involved in, whether social or athletic. There are numerous student groups and associations you can join: cultural, academic, athletic, and so on.

Food and Dining

There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to food and dining. Some places are owned by the school, some are familiar to outsiders, but whichever they are, they food is excellent.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is good, the placement is in such a way that they aren't far from the lecture halls. The rooms are quite spacious, and not expensive to live in, plus the residence halls are equipped with gymnasiums to encourage student fitness.

Academic Rigor

The courses are intensive, students are required to do the work in order to pass. Professors usually include an online supplement to ensure students participate both in class, and outside.

Tips for prospective students

Always stay on top of the material, it is very easy to fall behind. Though it could be hard, try to schedule time talk with your professor or teaching assistant.

In three sentences

The University at Buffalo is a school rich in cultural diversity. The wide array of majors make it more comfortable to choose your career path. The students are friendly, and the environment is conducive for learning and having fun.

Ginette from Elmhurst, NY

It is a safe campus because there are blue light posts everywhere in case of an emergency. Besides, you will always see the universities police cars circulating the campus.

Greek Life

I am not part of greek life but I can definitely see the spirit each member shows by wearing gear from their sorority or fraternity. They, also, hold meetings and events for students to get more involved, eventually these students pledge to become a new member.

Clubs and Activities

I completely recommend to join clubs because it helps with networking and giving the chance to participate in many events.

What to do for fun

There are always events happening where you can enjoy your time with friends and meet a lot of students. Each club have their social, where you can attend and meet new people by doing ice breakers and fun games.

Food and Dining

University at Buffalo has the best places to eat. There are so many options and a great variety of food. If you do not life the food, then you can easily find good restaurants around the campus.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is a great experience because you get closure with other students and you get to learn from them. It is an important decision whether you want to live on campus, which I recommend because you become an independent person. You will have responsibilities and things you need to take care of. This will result in a sneak peek of how life will be after college.

Academic Rigor

Professors are ready to help you with whatever you need and most importantly they love their job. Therefore, future students should not hesitate to ask questions or feel intimidated by them. They encourage you to go to their office hours, which I strongly recommend.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely a good college to attend to. Do not lose this opportunity, it is completely worth to invest in the University at Buffalo. Great way to reach for a higher education and gain knowledge from bright professors.

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is a research and public university. One of the most cultural diverse universities in the new york area. There are students who are willing to help other students understand the classes. There are, also, great counselors and an immense ways to get involve in the community within the campus.

Yan from Buffalo, NY

It is safe that every dorm building and library needs UB card to get in.

Clubs and Activities

Clubs has nice equipment but need more varities.

Great for these types of students

It is great for students who are socially sucessful with respect to relations such as friendship or partnership.

What to do for fun

School nights, dorm activities and clubs

Food and Dining

Food is various and good, and very clean and health.

Dorm Life

Dorm life can be interesting if you can hang out people around you dorm.

Academic Rigor

It is a school you can get great knowledge if you are willing to learn

Tips for prospective students

First of al,l please be open and optimistic to make friends. And bring warm clothes, it is a big school so everything has to be in charged by your own.

In three sentences

This is an university that contains many diversities, such as nationalities and religions and cultures. The equipments there are very consummate from academic to athletic. Also, it has a wide communication activities.

Juliya from Amherst, NY

UB has its own police station on both campuses. They are always patrolling. If you are at the library late, there are also people who will walk you to your car or dorm for free.

Clubs and Activities

So, so, SO many.

Bang for the buck

Extremely affordable for the education you receive. I recommend this school to anyone and everyone. I am 100% proud to be a UB alumni!

What to do for fun

UB has a million clubs and organizations to join. Plus there are always a ton of events! UB definitely has an amazing student life.

Food and Dining

UB has food EVERYWHERE! Every building has some sort of food. Which is awesome if you are trying to get something quickly before class, or an exam. Not only that, the variety is insane! I actually really enjoy eating on campus!

Dorm Life

Dorm life was fun freshman year. I also think that it is good to do for at least a year, to get the experience and to get to know people. UB dorms are great.

Academic Rigor

I would say that UB may be slightly more difficult due to the big class sizes, where you do not get the one on one you may need. However there are plenty of resources to get help if you need it!

Tips for prospective students

If you need more one on one work with professors, and are worried about the immensity of UB, I can reassure you that there are plenty of teaching assistants that can help you. Also, even though the school looks huge, after a week you will know it like the back of your hand. Plus, everything you may need is right on campus. You don't have to travel far whether it is to the post office or to get something to eat!

In three sentences

I absolutely love University at Buffalo! It is an amazing school for any major that you are pursuing, and even if you cannot find the major you want, they can build one for you! All the professors and staff are equally helpful.

Nikolas from Grand Island, NY

01/09/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

This only misses the mark on 5 stars due to South campus. It's not in the greatest area of Buffalo, so caution should be taken at all times when on South campus after nightfall. Be aware during the day as well, but definitely so during nighttime. There are safety walks and safety rides provided if you want them, though, as well as multiple emergency telephone and intercom stations scattered throughout the campus. The campus police station is on North campus, and the police patrol all through the day and night.

Greek Life

I am not a part of Greek life, but I do know that there are business fraternities, social fraternities, and special interest fraternities (i.e certain programs of study have their own fraternities). This also holds true for sororities.

Clubs and Activities

As I mentioned in the Bang for Your Buck section, you're going to have an awesome time navigating your way through all the stuff to do. There's even independent organizations that periodically stop by the campus for a few hours to a few days and offer unique opportunities to participate in events and activities that aren't even campus-sponsored! Activities run the gamut and can really connect you with the world if you so choose.

Great for these types of students

EVERYONE. Like I said above, UB will have more things to do than you can imagine. It's tough to decide what to do a lot of the time. If you like the buzzing feel of a campus that's alive, you'll love the place. Also, I just want to mention that the common fear of class sizes being huge is overhyped. Yes, for your first year or two, depending on your chosen program, you will be in lectures with hundreds of students. But most professors are still very willing to help you one on one, and the students often form help groups among themselves using social media. The large lectures aren't too bad, but they also aren't very conducive to conversations about topics being taught. Just keep it in mind that sooner than you think, you'll be in classes with no more than 20-30 people. The large classes are so large because they fulfill prerequisite requirements for multiple majors and can be used towards the completion of Gen-Ed requirements.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Traditions, apart from the annual Parent Weekend and the annual music festivals Fall Fest (hip-hop, rap, etc) and Spring Fest (rock, pop) are largely delegated to different clubs and organizations. Therefore, your college experience can very likely have many different traditions than your friends' simply by belonging to different clubs and organizations. Baird point is a common place to go during nice weather, and there will always be someone who wants to swim in Lake LaSalle. If it's particularly cold during the winter, Lake LaSalle will freeze and some people will walk on the ice. You'll often hear people talk about Club Capen, particularly during midterms and finals. The Capen library is the only library on campus that's open 24/7, so during these study-filled times, people very often camp out there for hours or days. Oh, I have to recommend that everyone at least goes to watch the annual International Fiesta, and I definitely suggest participating in the show at least once. It's a competition between all of the cultural clubs on campus that culminates in 10 minute performances adhering to a central theme that the event board chooses. These performances are done in each respective club's traditional culture, making for a very interesting performance. If you participate in the show with one of the clubs, you get to be right in the middle of the action and will be able to learn about another culture.

Bang for the buck

Particularly for in-state students, you really can't go wrong. UB, especially among those students who grew up in Buffalo, tends to have a very negative stigma among prospective students. THIS CANNOT BE MORE WRONG. I really can't stress that enough. Everyone I've ever talked to, from all around the country and all around the world, tells me the same thing (which I say as well): UB was my last choice, actually. I didn't really want to come here, but I'm really glad I did. This place is way better than I expected. It's true. I like to call it the Diamond in the Rough of Buffalo. Not only are there an unbelievably huge amount of things going on at all times on this campus (see above), but it also has the best value for your studies. This is really important, so I want to hammer this home as well as possible. When in high school, everyone is so focused on picking a school that's right for me and what I want to do. The hard truth is that unless you're one of the EXTREMELY small amount of people that 100% knows what they want to do for a career and what goals they have before they even graduate college, there is NO school that's right for you other than the school that GIVES YOU THE MOST OPTIONS. 99% of students go to college and change their minds, and that's ok. You absolutely want to pick a school that not only creates an environment for you to experience more than you could ever imagine, including cultures from countries all across the globe, but that also provides you with the flexibility of being able to change what you're studying. You really don't want to pick a small school that offers a relatively small amount of programs, just to possibly change your mind and then have to transfer because the school you chose to attend doesn't have a program in what you'd like to study after changing your mind. UB is like its own city.(and even people from New York City say this) - there's a lot to offer.

What to do for fun

There really is no way to answer this question perfectly, and that's the beauty of it: this campus ALWAYS has something going on. In fact, there's going to be so many things happening that you'll often find yourself saying Aw man, I wish I had known about that! There's something to do across all areas of the spectrum, and new clubs, meetups, groups, and events are started all the time. Clubs do need official paperwork for starting up, but people very often just do informal meetups and consider themselves a club. While they might not be an official club, they feel no different and they avoid all the paperwork. So, if there's something you'd really like to start and you want to try and find people interested, just put up flyers on the bulletin boards scattered across the campus and hold some meetups. People will find out really fast, especially if people who come to your meetings enjoy it.

Food and Dining

There are a few places you can go to try to eat healthy, but on the whole the food on the entire campus is awful. Au Bon Pain is going to be your best bet, but it's expensive. In fact, meal plans are terribly overpriced anyway, so I suggest learning to cook and making your own food. It will be healthier, cheaper, and it will taste better.

Dorm Life

Dorm life here is great during your freshman year, but after that it quickly goes downhill. This really has nothing to do with the University itself, but more has to do with the general attitude of the residents. I'm not sure if this happens at all or most colleges, but after freshman year, very few people living in the dorms will be very sociable or outgoing to meet new people. This is due to two reasons: first, most people stick with the group of friends they made during freshman year. Second, after freshman year, if freshman year itself wasn't rigorous, the academic workload picks up greatly. The RAs frequently hold events, but even to the best of their abilities, these events are usually not very fun or interesting (mainly because very few people actually show up).

Academic Rigor

The only reason I left it at 4 stars instead of 5 is because a student's academic rigor largely depends on the program that the student is enrolled in. Certain majors and programs absolutely have it easier than others, both in terms of coursework difficulty and amount, as well as in competition among other students. In the larger classes, particularly early undergraduate classes, the professors are often not very keen on teaching, or struggle to teach the material adequately to such a large group. This makes the very large classes particularly competitive and, at times, frustrating.

Tips for prospective students

Don't count UB out! I encourage everyone to apply to this school, simply because of how much it has to offer. If you're a NY state resident, you absolutely should apply, because the value of the school is incredible for the tuition that you will pay. Also, don't fear the large classes; they aren't as bad as you may think and often times allow you more freedom in how you choose to study or learn. Plus, once you start taking classes within your major, the class size dramatically drops to no more than 20-30 students.

In three sentences

This school is the Diamond in the Rough of Buffalo, offering you a college experience that feels like being in a metropolitan, culturally diverse city. There's a lot to offer, so take advantage of as much of it that seems interesting to you. Also, don't neglect your studies: competition is fierce here and academics should not be taken lightly.

Hannah from NY

UB has over 300 clubs, D1 sports and Late night. I feel as though it would be hard to get bored there.

Food and Dining

I didn't try any of the schools food but they seemed to have enough cafeterias and places to eat or grab a snack that you don't have to trudge across campus or to the opposite campus if you're hungry.

Dorm Life

The dorms are really nice for being such a big school. I liked the quads and the double more than the triples though. Triples there aren't really that much bigger than the doubles.

Academic Rigor

UB seems challenging which is one if the reasons I'm very interested in it. However, it also hosts so many fun events you won't get super stressed out.

In three sentences

I was so worried about being placed in a quads but, when I visited the school their actually quite large! Also the schools bus system is super helpful and almost always running. UB was a top pick of mine before I visited but, now I'm definetly applying.

Jennifer from Amherst, NY

01/12/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Food and Dining

I have never eaten on campus.

In three sentences

Great for non-traditional students. Not great for non-traditional students to live on campus. The North campus is located in the suburbs of Buffalo, therefore a car is preferable to the very limited public transportation.

Nicole from Pittsford, NY

Some of the food is amazing (Chicken parm sub at the Cellar <3 and C3) while other foods (the pizza.. is okay)

Dorm Life

There is always an event going on during the weekends hosted by an RA. They're either informative or fun and worth your time to go to! The RAs are all really great and I love living in the dorms.

Academic Rigor

The classes I've taken have all worked me hard but many of them have been interesting and informative. Although the General Education classes are a pain, there isn't a class I regret taking.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be intimidated by the large size of the school! Once you get to know your way around the campus is not as big as it seems.

In three sentences

I was concerned on going to such a big school but after the first week of classes and I knew my way around I began to feel more at home and now I love it here! The classes and professors here are great and I really feel like I'm learning so much academically as well as personally. The food could be a bit better but it is edible and some food (mac and cheese) is heavenly.

Mia from Cicero, NY

01/27/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Greek Life

Greek Life on campus is small but tight. Those of us who are Greek tend to know each other and help one another out with philanthropies and events. We love to get involved with the school and help out when we can. We participate in Relay for Life and Cancer Awareness programs.

What to do for fun

UB Late Night is a program run by students who organize activities on weekend nights for students to partake in. It can be bingo, laser tag, a foam party... pretty much anything! There's a variety of clubs and groups that can be joined also and sporting events that are happening all year round.

Food and Dining

While there is a state of the art dining hall available to all students, there are also many more options. There are little places to eat every where you go. There is an area to eat in one of the dorm complexes with options from mexican food, to burgers, to salads, to sushi. Au Bon Pain and Moe's s also on campus as well as Tim Hortons, Jamba Juice and Starbucks. The options are endless!

Dorm Life

As a sophomore at UB, the dorm life is unbelievable. There is a sophomore exclusive dorm building that s absolutely amazing. All of the rooms are suite style, it's like living in a 5 star hotel. You can pick who you're suit mates will be and living with all your friends is so much fun.

Academic Rigor

The academics could be better in some departments but overall is very good. The work load depends on the professor. Difficulty of courses is respective to what you're taking and professor like to challenge their students.

Tips for prospective students

BRING WARM CLOTHES!!! The wind in Buffalo is crazy and the winters are terribly cold. Get comfortable with having lectures with 300+ students and going to office hours for help on assignments.

In three sentences

UB is an amazing school. It was rated #1 for campus food out of all SUNY schools, it has great academics and it very interactive. Overall, I rate UB a 9.5, it's the best!

Erin from Lackawanna, NY

Campus police are readily available at any situation. There are emergency towers located around campus that have an emergency call button that will directly connect you to a dispatcher.

Clubs and Activities

there are multiple clubs and activities always going on on campus.

Great for these types of students

The academic rigor is perfect for those hardworking, perfectionists who love the feeling of academic success.

Bang for the buck

For the education and opportunities I receive, I believe that the tuition is the biggest bang for my buck.

What to do for fun

There are clubs, fitness, libraries, and paths. For fun, students can take part in everything from extracurricular activities, to exercising, to just walking around campus to look at the beautiful scenery.

Food and Dining

The food is absolutely amazing here. There are many ethnic food options as well as hometown favorites. Among the SUNY schools, UB is ranked at the top.

Dorm Life

I do not dorm currently but I have working on dorming for next year. I want to do this because after spending the nights with friends I realize how accessible everything is such as gyms and bathrooms. Also dorming is a great way to meet new friends and people on campus.

Academic Rigor

The academic rigor is very intense, however, everything you need to learn you will learn within the classroom. The class sizes are large at some times, but there are recitation times which provide a smaller environment for students to ask the questions they need.

Tips for prospective students

My tips for prospective students is to never feel ashamed if you need help. There are resources and libraries to assist you in your struggles. Asking for help is only going to allow you to understand more and gain more knowledge.

In three sentences

The University at Buffalo is an extremely functional and helpful place to attend college. The knowledge I have gained thus far is outstanding. I feel as though everyday I am preparing for life and my career.

Alexander from West Seneca, NY

There are activities all over the campus, our you can take one of the shuttle buses to the mall, or downtown.

Food and Dining

Average food, kinda expensive.

Dorm Life

I don't dorm but I have stayed at friends dorms and it is an overall welcoming experience.

Academic Rigor

It is easy to pass, but it is difficult to excel.

Tips for prospective students

Study, study, study.

In three sentences

The university is very large. You will be overwhelmed at first, but it easy easy to get use to. The classes are a challenge but if you dedicate yourself you will have a good time at the campus, and good grades.

Anonymous

03/22/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Food and Dining

Recently a new dining hall was just built and the food there was amazing. When I was a freshman however we didn't have this, the food is okay, not too bad, but it can be very boring after awhile because it is the same menu every week. There are a few options for dining halls, but realistically you aren't going to travel that far from your room for dinner every night. There is a ton of options for lunch during the day on campus too which is great.

Dorm Life

Personally, I didn't experience too much of the dorm life at UB. I lived in a dorm on the south campus my freshman year, and moved off campus after that because I didn't enjoy it. Most people dorm on the north campus, which if I could go back I would definitely do because south campus can feel very secluded and like its own world. The plus side to living in a south campus dorm though is that there are no communal bathrooms, the dorms are suite style.

Academic Rigor

UB can be an extremely tough school academically, but for good reason, because it is a very high ranking university with some great teachers and classes. The programs can be extremely hard to get into because of the small class sizes once you become an upperclassmen, but there are still hundreds of kids applying, and only a few being accepted. Once you figure out how to study and what techniques work for you, it gets easier, but this isn't the kind of school that you can slack off in and still get A's.

Tips for prospective students

If I could go back and tell myself anything about the school before I started attending, I would definitely prepare myself mentally for how large of a school it really is. I would try and live in a dorm on the north campus, which has way more students than the south campus which is where I originally lived, to immerse myself in the culture of the school and feel like I belonged. I would also encourage prospective students to get a feel of a large classroom, and tell them they need to work on their individual study skills, because there will not always be one on one help from the professors or even teaching assistants. I would definitely join some sort of club or activity, so that within the large community of UB you feel like you belong to a small community of people that genuinely know you.

In three sentences

UB is a great school, but it is such a large school with such a large campus it is very easy to lose yourself academically as well as socially. It is a great school with some great teachers, but some teachers forget that each student matters no matter how big there class is, and could do a lot more to help each individual student. Overall I think UB definitely needs to work on the safety, happiness, and success of each individual, and stop thinking of the school in numbers and statistics.

Sarah from Williamsville, NY

UB campus is very safe. There are only UB police patrolling both campuses.

Greek Life

Greek life at UB is small but I believe that it is very beneficial towards students. Greek life allows students to participate in philanthropy which is an amazing experience for any person.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs and activities for students on campus. There is something for everyone.

What to do for fun

There are many events that go on at UB. The student association organizes various events throughout the fall and spring semesters for students and RAs organize events as well.

Food and Dining

UB is ranked as the best food and dining out of all the SUNY schools. It offers a wide range of choices.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is fantastic at UB. This school offers various places to live on the north and south campuses and accommodates students needs.

Academic Rigor

UB offers many programs for their students. It also offers research, internships, and volunteer programs for students who are looking to discover more about their major.

Tips for prospective students

I advise prospective students to join many clubs and programs to discover what they enjoy doing.

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is a fantastic school. It offers many opportunities for students academically and socially. There is always something going on at UB that will allow their students to grow as a person.

Some places aren't as good, but for the most part the food is very good. I love the variety at C3 and the themed nights they have. Pistachios is also great as you can get whatever pasta/sandwiches you want made fresh right in front of you.

Dorm Life

The dorms are nice but nothing special. Greiner Hall is incredibly nice and new, but it is only open to sophomores. Overall I've had a good experience living in the dorms, though sometimes it can get loud and messy.

Academic Rigor

While some classes are more challenging than others, every class I've taken has had high standards and taught me a lot.

Tips for prospective students

Visit the campus. It is very large and can seem overwhelming, but it's really not once you're used to it.

In three sentences

University at Buffalo is an incredible institution where you really get your moneys worth. There is such a strong sense of community on this very diverse campus.

anonymous from East Amherst, NY

05/14/2014

Reviewer is A past student here.

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Campus Safety

The campuses have emergency telephones dispersed throughout both North and South Campuses, University Police numbers are well known in the event of an emergency and most buildings require swipe access so that only faculty and students can enter. My only critique is that University Police expend too much energy in unjust ticket issuing instead of protecting the well-being of students. This leads to avoidable rape situations as I have witnesses in the Fall of 2013.

Clubs and Activities

With over twenty thousand students, if there is not already a club or organization for a certain topic or activity, it can be easily proposed and created.

Great for these types of students

The University at Buffalo is great for students who prefer the atmosphere of a small self-sufficient city. The campus is large, requires public transportation and supports over twenty thousand undergraduate and graduate students. The University also offers strong Law, Architecture, Pre-Medical and Engineering schools.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The University at Buffalo's Mud Fest is a celebration of Spring in which students compete in tether ball competitions in our famous mud pit for messy fun.

Bang for the buck

Students enjoy the relief of a relatively reasonable college tuition despite the enriching college experience the University has to offer. However, housing can get expensive without Financial Aid and scholarships.

What to do for fun

The Buffalo area offers a lot of entertainment but students must be active in searching for it and taking city transportation. Buffalo is home the the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Historic Grain Elevators, Silo City, the Birchfield Penny Gallery, Regular shows and exhibitions at Hallwalls, Elmwood Village, and much more. On campus activities include robot wars, movie screenings, Mud Fest, athletic events, outdoor space for small gatherings, pot lucks and so on and so forth.

Food and Dining

The University at Buffalo offers a wide variety of food options that make it possible to make healthier food choices. Among this variety includes Tim Hortons, Moe's Southwestern Grill, Jamba Juice, Sushi, Kung Fu, Johnny C's, La Rosa's Pizzeria, Subway, Japanese, Mediterranean, Chinese, Korean, and Italian. Campus Dining places offer fruits, salads, packaged juice, milk and smoothies, and freshly prepared foods. Facilities include sit-down dinning and to go options as well as regularly spaced vending machines throughout campus. Although the variety is enjoyable, the meal plan system is wasteful. Instead of issuing a certain number of meals every week at certain prices, student would benefit from just managing food money by the dollar amount like Kent State University students can.

Dorm Life

Dorming facilities offer the option of living alone, with a roommate or with three other roommates. All campus living complexes provide washers, driers, gyms, computer labs, dining halls and recreation under the comfort of one roof. Governor's facilities are outdated and filthy in some instances but this reflects in its more affordable pricing in comparison to the most modern and most expensive dorming situation, Greiner. Washers and driers could benefit from regular maintenance and repair.

Academic Rigor

The University at Buffalo is academically rigorous with a competitive medical program and high standards in the school of Architecture and Planning and school of Engineering. All classes depend on the student's active engagement and hard work to offer enriching experiences and high marks. Overall rigor depends on the demands of one's major. One of the most demanding Majors is Architecture since it requires that the student's body becomes accustomed to little to no eating or sleeping.

Tips for prospective students

I advise prospective students to take advantage of the club, organization and athletic opportunities the University at Buffalo has to offer. Because the University contains two rather large campuses, North and South, exploring and touring the campuses will benefit students in understanding public transportation system operation and travel time. With this knowledge, finding one's way around and attending class on time and academic success will be far more attainable.

In three sentences

The University at Buffalo is a culturally diverse, large campus that offers a wide variety of fields to study. Students can expect to experience enriching exposure to the diversity the University at Buffalo community embraces and a strong education in the major of their choice. The only Major the University lacks is Industrial Design and because of this, I must transfer to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Marissa

Campus security is everywhere. Police are always driving around campus and UB has an alert system where alerts can be texted to your cell phone so you are always updated.

Great for these types of students

UB is great for a student that wants a lot of different class options within their major, or for students that are undecided and want to explore different career options. Meeting people whether they are local to the area, or from across the globe is easy, class are very diverse. Research is huge at UB so anyone that might be interested in participating in research studies, experiments, or being a research assistant will love the opportunities here.

Food and Dining

Another good thing that comes with going to a large school is the food options that are available on campus. Just some examples; Moes, Starbucks, Rachel's, Tim Hortons, and there are cafeteria's around campus that serve all different kinds of food whether you want breakfast, pizza, or sushi.

Dorm Life

I am currently a commuter student, but I have heard from friends that do live on campus that dorming is an easy way to make friends and dorming also helps to have easy and fast access to the campus and all of the services that are provided to students.

Academic Rigor

Depending on your major your course load will be different. I am currently a psychology major and while my classes are challenging, they are ver interesting, but the work load is definitely manageable.

Tips for prospective students

If you are coming into UB looking at a four year bachelors degree, definitely look into the Finish in Four program. By signing up for this, you will be sure that you are talking all the classes that you need in order to graduate, you meet every semester with your advisor to keep you on track, and you are guaranteed to get the classes that you need!

In three sentences

UB is a huge school with a lot of growing and learning potential. There are so many different majors that are offered and with the ability to create your own field of study, no matter what your interest is, you can be successful in preparing for your career. With a large school comes so many opportunities to meet other students that share your similar interest whether it be through a club, a sport, greek life or just by dorming.

Alexander from Williamsville, NY

06/13/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The campus is very safe with blue light poles acquainted with a speaker to contact university police. Their is a police station located on campus specified in enforcing student safety and a safe environment.

Clubs and Activities

Many clubs are offered, most of the time lead by students who attend the university. There are also new clubs and activities being formed every once in a while so the options are growing through time.

Great for these types of students

University at Buffalo has no defined set of students and is a very welcoming environment for all. No matter your background, history, or ethnicity, you will find someone like you on campus.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every April, Oozefest is held where players play a game of volleyball except not just any normal game. This game is played in mud and at the end of the game, players are filled form head to toe with mud.

Bang for the buck

SUNY Buffalo is very affordable especially with financial aid and/or scholarships. It is even cheaper for in-state students and the four year cost is not an overwhelming price to worry about after one graduates.

What to do for fun

UB has a never ending offer of activities if one takes the effort to look. There are also many workshops for those still undecided about their major. Joining a club is a great way to make new friends and discover new things about different cultures or ethnicities.

Food and Dining

There are many places to eat both on UB's north campus, and south campus while enjoying the atmosphere. In the north campus, there is a highly rated dining hall where one can eat as much as they want and close at a reasonable time in order for all students to have time to eat. UB is rated with the highest satisfaction of food among all of the SUNY schools. If you're in a rush, you can quickly get your food in less than 15 minutes or even quicker, in the conveniently located fast food takeouts beneath the dorms of Ellicot Complex. Furthermore, for those people that like to stay awake late at night, food is also offered to a very late time. Similarly, on south campus there is also a dining hall and several places to acquire food.

Dorm Life

Meeting new people is nothing new and will almost always occur every day. Seeing different people everyday is also not uncommon. There will always be activities whether hosted by the University of Buffalo, or by clubs that are generally free.

Academic Rigor

Depending on one's major, a single class may not seem as difficult as 4 or 5 classes being taken at the same time. The more rigorous classes would definitely be that of science related and architecture. Otherwise than that, if one keeps up with all their classes and attends class, the academic rigor is reduced significantly.

Tips for prospective students

Always finish everything early even if you think you may have time to do it later, because this will save you a lot of time to enjoy other activities on campus and discover Buffalo. This is especially crucial during exams and finals week.

In three sentences

From a quiet setting of a lake that spans across the city, to the burst-full life of campus students, one can find not only serenity in these parts but also an appreciation for the type of respected community found here. The University at Buffalo offers a large variety of majors and interests, clubs, and activities to participate in to make sure one experiences the full college experience. Here, the diversity of students is greater than that of many other colleges.

Christina from Orchard Park, NY

07/01/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I always feel safe walking around at night, they have emergency blue lights on every corner that immediately contact the police if necessary. They also have students that can walk you to your car at night so you don't feel alone!

Greek Life

Look into fraternities! Not all of them are bad and you can meet a lot of amazing friends. The media makes them out to be awful with hazing and such, but really most of them have strict anti-hazing rules (make sure to do some research first). There are different kinds though: Service, Social, Business, Engineering... Pretty much for every major offered at UB, there is a fraternity/sorority that is set out to help brothers/sisters become further involved with their program.

Clubs and Activities

Everyone can find something for themselves at UB, and if a specific club doesn't exist you could always start one. I'm a musician and enjoy playing in the Marching Band as well as gaming in the Super Smash Bro's club.

Great for these types of students

I'm an outgoing person, which is great for the big campus. Even so, it is easy to shrink down the feel of the school by just getting involved in a close-nit group of friends to really make you feel more comfortable.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

If you're looking to relax, don't hesitate to head over to Baird Point and look out at the lake, I always like going over there to do homework because no one bothers you and the scenery is lovely.

Bang for the buck

This is a great school and doesn't cost nearly as much as the others. I'm going for Engineering and their program is fantastic, which pretty much guarantees me getting a job out of school!

What to do for fun

There are always clubs and concerts and activities in the Union. Most of the time they are free and just require you to swipe your school ID. Don't be afraid to talk to people, everyone is there to help you have a good college experience!

Food and Dining

The food is pretty good, especially if you go to the Commons. My only complaint is that it is slightly expensive for a college kid in debt. Nonetheless, that's why they have meal plans. There is definitely a great variety in types of food though, from sushi one day to pizza the next, you'll always find something yummy.

Dorm Life

I commute, therefore dorm life for me isn't really applicable. From what I've heard from my friends, the dorms are nice yet slightly small.

Academic Rigor

The classes are challenging and fun. Though the General Education classes aren't the best or most interesting, they are easy to get out of the way in your first year or so. Also, Ratemyprofessor.com really becomes your best friend in choosing which classes/teachers will be the best match for you.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you consider commuting if you're a local Buffalo resident, it WILL save you a lot of money in the long run! Also, really try to establish good study habits now, so when you start your first year of college, you're used to working at a harder rate than needed for high school.

In three sentences

SUNY UB makes the transition from High School to College easy with their many opportunities for clubs and other fun activities. UB's classes are challenging, yet very informative and most professors really do try and help students. There are plenty of majors to choose from, especially considering that they all have graduate programs as well, which really opens the doors for plenty of opportunities.

Adam from New York, NY

11/07/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

You could join one of the ever growing list of clubs that are funded by the mandatory student activity fee and is run by the student association. There are serval sport teams that you could join at the professional and intramural level. A long with this there is greek life that you could be a part of. You could join a frat or go to one of their parties which are fun!

Food and Dining

The University At Buffalo has been rated the highest within the SUNY system in terms of dining service. There are many options to chose from in the school. There are two main dining centers that most freshmen will eat from, C3 and Governors Dining Center. Both of these dining center are buffet style where I would advise you to not overeat while a freshmen. The freshmen 15 is a thing that can happen to you if you eat too much at either of these places consistently. You get tired of the food if you keep eating there but they do have other places to eat, the Student Union, the Commons, and Berts. They all run on meal swipes, dining dollars, campus cash with the exception of the Commons which runs only on campus cash or real money . Meal swipe are swipes that can be used on meal which varies on dollar amounts depending on the time of day. Dining dollars is cash given by the given by the school to be spent on food. Campus cash is money you put on the card and you can spend it on whatever you want. At these location you order food and pay using those options. They have many well known stores like Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Tim Hourtons. The people who work at the dining center are extremely nice, which is why they're ranked number one.

Dorm Life

Overall the dorm life at the University at Buffalo is amazing, there is nothing like it. Most freshmen will be placed on north campus by default and that is the place you want to be, since that is where most of your classes are going to be. Also the atmosphere in the dorms on north campus is amazing itself. There are two places where you can live as a freshmen, Ellicott and Governors. Ellicott complex is has a very unique look to it; my professor made the comparison to lego blocks which I highly agree with. Its the more social of the two options and I would tell most freshmen to pick this one since itâ??s much more lax. Governors is the honors dorm and if your an honors student you get the opportunity to live there over everyone else. It is much more quiet with the complex and the RAâ??s are more strict. There are quiet hours in all the dorms within the University but Governors takes it the most seriously. I would only recommend freshmen to live there if they want a nice quiet dorm experience.

Academic Rigor

The academic difficulty in the University At Buffalo depends on what classes you want to take and what your major is. Some of the majors here at UB are extremely difficult for example pharmacy which is extremely difficult compared to some other majors in the school. Like more school it will ultimately come down to your professor in the class that you are taking. Most people flock to the professor that gives the easy A with minimal work needed to be done. I wouldnâ??t recommend this to anyone within the school, the point of college is to challenge yourself and learn what you can really do. This might mean taking the harder professor which would increase the rigor of your schedule. This school is one of the better schools within the SUNY school system and the and idea of an â??easyâ?? class really does depend on how well do did in high school and how hard you are willing to work in college. In this school studying is a must for all classes, even if you excel. To better understand the material and to apply what you learn in class to the outside world you must study and learn about the different applications of your classes. Some classes go over this material in class which might be hard to grasp if you are a theory person. However itâ??s extremely important to get out of you comfort zone with you academics which might be hard for your first semester of year and there will be times were you think the classes are too rigorous but over time you will become accustom to this lifestyle and not just accustom in some cases you will excel and thrive, becoming a greater student and person because of it.

Tips for prospective students

Students who wish to join University At Buffalo should search the courses required for their major, especially if their major is a highly competitive one. Planning out what classes youâ??re going to take during your time here will be helpful in the long run. If you decide to dorm on campus, you should try your hardest to get into the complex. Most of the freshmen are going to dorm there and itâ??s a great opportunity to meet your peers outside the classroom setting. Academic wise you should always study before the test and know what kind of questions your teacher will ask. To get a better insight on this you should attend your teachersâ?? office hours. Outside of the school itself you should be ready to adjust to the changes that come along with moving to Buffalo, if youâ??re not from the city. The first thing to consider is the weather, itâ??s not the warmest city in the country. I would recommend bringing serval sweaters and coats if cold weather is not your thing. Also, if you plan on going to Canada which is extremely close by, make sure you have your passport or an enchanted drivers license. If you are coming to the university with a friend you plan on dorming with or youâ??re going to dorm with a stranger you should be prepared to live with someone for 15 weeks. What I mean by this is youâ??re not going to have your way all the time with your roommate like you would at your home, be prepared to compromise. Also, be sure to study often and get enough sleep at night. These seem to be the two things that hurt college students the most.

In three sentences

The University At Buffalo is the best college in the nation in my honest option. It offers a unique learning environment and allows student to pursue their major in may different ways. The best place to go for quality of education and cost!

Angelica from Buffalo, NY

There are a few minor incidents here and there, however the university police always sends mass emails to all students letting them know if something has happened within the school.

Greek Life

Greek life is pretty big in the school.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Play volleyball in the mud ever year.

Bang for the buck

Very reasonable tuition compared to what a lot of other schools charge!!!

What to do for fun

Outdoor stuff & partying. The campus is located in a suburban region where it only takes about an hour to drive into the country, so there's a lot of opportunity to go hiking, fishing, & skiing. The south campus is also located close to a few clubs and bars that students go to on weekends.

Food and Dining

The dining halls have been recently renovated and are beautiful! The food is also fairly good, and there is a lot of variety.

Dorm Life

Depends on your personality. A lot of the dorms have reputations for housing students of similar lifestyles. The biggest complex houses most of the extroverted party animals. The smaller complexes house the honor & international students.

Academic Rigor

STEM and Engineering Majors require a lot of studying! Party it up your freshman year because you won't have much time for it as an upperclassmen :)

Tips for prospective students

Get involved in a lot of extracurricular activities. The weather is pretty gloomy and can get a little depressing sometimes.

In three sentences

The quality of education is great. Cost of attendance relative to quality, is one of the best in the country. Very cold weather!

Cynthia from New York, NY

12/24/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There are police men walking on campus and patrolling the campus in their cars. There is a specific number that you can call and the university police will be there within minutes. You will definitely feel safe and you will be updated if anything else happens on the campus.

Clubs and Activities

There is something for everyone and the clubs like to work with each other for an event, like the Linda Yalem Run and the Relay For Life.

Great for these types of students

This school is great if you like being busy all the time, if you want to increase your networks, if you want to do research with your major, if you can learn in classes that range from 20 students to 400 students, if you want to learn more about diversity and if you want to make alot of friends from different backgrounds.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The student union is the place where student go to grab a quick bite at Moe's or Tim Hortons, or they can chill out in the lounge and see what events are happening there that day, or they can go upstairs to Pistachio's and try the best pasta the campus has to offer. They can go to the wellness center and get a free massage and tea and stress balls and on some occasions, they can pet dogs.

Bang for the buck

The highest number of credits you can take is 19 credits, which is good because it gives you room to do well in those classes, if you do not fall behind in them. The facilities are top notch and the part of the school is undergoing construction for new buildings especially in the downtown campus, which is mostly the medical campus.

What to do for fun

You can run for a position on an e-board for any club that you are interested in. You can take a short trip to Duffs and see why the chicken wings are the best up here. You can do various events and activities with the Intercultural Diversity Center or the Center of Student Leadership, and Community Engagement.

Food and Dining

The food is excellent,there is something for everyone. The choices are well thought and well prepared and the staff is so nice to the customers. There are healthy choices for students to pick from and the ingredients are fresh,

Dorm Life

The residents are really friendly on both North and South Campus. They want to be involved in the dorms' Hall Councils and they want to have as many friends that they can.

Academic Rigor

The classes are tough, but fair. They want to make sure you know the material and can apply it to your major. You are able to get an A in them if you start studying for them as early as possible and with smart friends and if you do not understand something, you can always go to the professor and find out.

Tips for prospective students

Make friends and find study groups in your class, so you can study with them later when the exams come and start studying for them early. Be a part of the university by volunteering for events and getting involved on campus with the extra curricular activities and various clubs. Find time to get involved with your major, especially if it is anything science or health related, try and find some research facilities on campus that will help you do research, so it will look nice on your resume.

In three sentences

This is a very diverse school with about 30,000 students from different places around the world, with many majors. The courses are great and the teachers will help you if you need help and the university itself has wonderful resources that will help you pass your classes. The spirit of Blue and White is amazing, you will definitely feel like you are part of a large family on a campus where there is always something to do or be part of.

Oshane from Bronx, NY

I have never felt unsafe during my time at UB. The University Police do there job to look out for the students and faculty. There has only been a few incidents that I have heard about.

Greek Life

I am a part of a Fraternity and most are full of great people. You just have to find the one where you click with the people there. There are a decent amount to chose from. Its not as large as other schools but it is still worth it to join in my opinion.

Clubs and Activities

There is always stuff to do. Its a large school whatever you want is probably here or you can create it you just need 10 people to start a club.

Great for these types of students

Students that want to experience a large school its huge, has two completely different campuses. Also great place to meet international students, with a great Medical and Engineering Programs.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is a 18+ club called The U that many students can go to to have fun if they chose too.

Bang for the buck

UB offers a lot being the on the largest Campus in New York State. It is able to provide many things that privates schools can but the advantage of it being a SUNY lowers the prices drastically.

What to do for fun

There are a large amount of clubs that students can attend, greek life, relaxing in dorms, going to Bills football games. There are also parties on weekends if you know where to look.

Food and Dining

Its campus food so its nothing compared your home cooked meals but it generally gets the job done there are plenty of choices to delay getting bored but it will happen.

Dorm Life

Dorms sizes vary but most are larger than your average dorm. There is space to move around and have extra people to hang out with. Most of the dorms are connected so you can walk around without going outside and if you do its only a few minutes of walking.

Academic Rigor

Professors expect a lot from students generally but most are also fair and give any help they can in class or office hours. There are some that are terrible but they are few and far.

Tips for prospective students

This school can offer whatever you are looking for and there are plenty of people to make friends with or help you if you keep and eye out for them.

In three sentences

UB wasn't my first choice but after spending a semester there I am exciting to go back. It is an excellent school for academics, fun and new experiences.

AR from New York, NY

01/13/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Awful compared to other schools. Homeless people and outside protestors are always on campus being reckless. All the buildings are open 24/7 and you don't need a card to get in. As for the dorms, you need a card to get in but most people will let you in if you knock at the door

Greek Life

Almost nonexistent

Clubs and Activities

- Decent selection of clubs; not great could be SO much better and no greek housing

Great for these types of students

- Like to study/ like the cold

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

People have a lot of sex in the library/classrooms because they don't lock the buildngs

Bang for the buck

For 5k tuition you really do get what you pay for

What to do for fun

- Ice skating - Studying - Skyzone isn't too far from campus; either is the mall/movies and the bus drops and picks you up from right outside - Knowing the right people will get you into parties but the weather will more than likely make you not want to go

Food and Dining

- Not too many food options - If you like Mexican, sushi. healthy eating (i.e salad, wraps) then it won't be too bad

Dorm Life

- Living on North campus v South Campus makes a HUGE difference - North has way more food options/events going on because more people live there - South is 20m away by the school-bus from North so you have to get up earlier for classes - SOUTH HAS BATHROOMS IN THE DORMS; NORTH HAS COMMUNAL BATHROOMS unless you live in the apartments/villas

Academic Rigor

- The classes required for your major probably won't be as interesting as the ones you pick for yourself - READ THE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS BEFORE YOU TAKE A CLASS - Make an effort to get to know your professors/go to office hours

Tips for prospective students

- Visit before you decide to enroll - Don't apply unless you are okay with cold weather - Although the population is huge, it doesn't ever seem overwhelming- they organize classes pretty well - Be sure to get someone to explain how the meal plan works AS SOON AS you get on-campus

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